Pletcher Ties Lukas' Graded Stakes Mark in Discovery

The hits just keep on coming for trainer Todd Pletcher. First, he tops his own single-season earnings mark; then he enters a record 18 horses for the upcoming Breeders' Cup World Championships; on Wednesday, he ties D. Wayne Lukas' single season mark for graded wins. It's only Oct. 25, folks.

Roman Dynasty, a 3-year-old son of Theatrical out of the Jade Hunter mare Vinista, gave Pletcher the tie during the opening day of the Aqueduct meet in New York while coming from last to first in the $105,300 Discovery Handicap (gr. III). The Allen E. Paulson Living Trust homebred won the nine-furlong main track event by a half-length over odds-on favorite On Board Again in 1:51.11.

Pletcher has now sent out 53 graded stakes winners in 2006 with plenty of them left on the docket, including the eight grade I Breeders' Cup events Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs. He ties his mentor's mark that was set in 1987.

Of Pletcher's 53 graded wins, 23 of them have come on the NYRA circuit of Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga. Pletcher has conditioned the winners of 17 grade I stakes. The North American mark for grade I winners is held by Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel, who won 25 in 2003.

"We'll see what happens," Pletcher said tongue-in-cheek to the NYRA media following his Discovery win. "Maybe we've got another one out there somewhere."

Roman Dynasty paid $7.70 as the second choice in the field of five. He was ridden by John Velazquez.

"This horse is a nice horse," Pletcher said. "We gave him a chance on the turf because he is a Theatrical, but he is a dirt horse. We're pleased with his progress this year, and we expect him to have a big year next year. I thought he went well against the grain of the track today. Inside speed has been holding up pretty much all day. We wanted to be inside and close to the pace if we could, but he just didn't break very well."

Roman Dynasty was last, but just three lengths from the front after an opening half of :47.99. He rallied to get to the lead after a mile in 1:38.17.

Pletcher's Grade I Wins
American Oaks Invitational Stakes - Wait a While
Apple Blossom Handicap - Spun Sugar
Beldame Stakes - Fleet Indian
Carter Handicap - Bishop Court Hill
Champagne Stakes - Scat Daddy
Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes - Honey Ryder
Garden City Breeders' Cup Stakes - Magnificent Song
Go for Wand Handicap - Spun Sugar
Haskell Invitational Handicap - Bluegrass Cat
Hopeful Stakes - Circular Quay
Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes - English Channel
Personal Ensign Stakes - Fleet Indian
Ruffian Handicap - Pool Land
Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes - Go Deputy
United Nations Stakes - English Channel
Woodford Reserve Turf Classic Stakes - English Channel
Yellow Ribbon Stakes - Wait a While

Pletcher's Grade II Wins
Adirondack Breeders' Cup Stakes - Octave
Bowling Green Handicap - Go Deputy
Canadian Stakes - Ready's Gal
Davona Dale Stakes - Wait a While
Delaware Oaks - Adieu
Delaware Handicap - Fleet Indian
Fantasy Stakes - Ready to Please
Fitz Dixon Cotillion Breeders' Cup Handicap - India
Futurity Stakes - King of the Roxy
Gulfstream Park Handicap - Harlington
Hutcheson Stakes - Keyed Entry
Lake Placid Stakes - Wait a While
Louisville Breeders' Cup Stakes - Oonagh Maccool
Meadowlands Breeders' Cup Stakes - Master Command
Peter Pan Stakes - Sunriver
Rampart Handicap - Oonagh Maccool
Sanford Stakes - Scat Daddy
Sheepshead Bay Handicap - Honey Ryder

Pletcher's Grade III Wins
Allaire du Pont Breeders' Cup Distaff Handicap - Pool Land
Bashford Manor Stakes - Circular Quay
Discovery Handicap - Roman Dynasty
Excelsior Breeders' Cup Handicap - West Virginia
Hillsborough Stakes - Ready's Gal
Lake George Stakes - Magnificent Song
Maryland Breeders' Cup Sprint Handicap - Friendly Island
Monmouth Breeders' Cup Oaks - Mo Cuishle
Next Move Handicap - Fleet Indian
Northern Dancer Breeders' Cup Stakes - High Cotton
Orchid Handicap - Honey Ryder
Salvator Mile Stakes - Flower Alley
Sands Point Stakes - Wait a While
Schuylerville Stakes - Cotton Blossom
Sixty Sails Handicap - Fleet Indian
Skip Away Handicap - Bandini
Taylor Made Matchmaker Stakes - Ready's Gal
William Donald Schaefer Handicap - Master Command