Pletcher Forces Massing for Spring/Summer Invasion

The Todd Pletcher stakes parade has emerged from the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) and Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) trails in excellent shape and will now set its sights on major events in the Northeast, South, and Midwest.

Ashado, the pride and joy of the Pletcher stable who captured the Kentucky Oaks, will head for Belmont Park's Acorn Stakes (gr. I) on June 4, following the same path as last year's Kentucky Oaks winner Bird Town.

Limehouse, who turned in another solid effort to finish fourth in the Kentucky Derby, likely will run in the Ohio Derby (gr. II) June 12, with the seven-furlong Riva Ridge Stakes (gr. II) on Belmont Stakes day another option. But Pletcher is planning on running Florida Derby (gr. I) runner-up Value Plus in the Riva Ridge, and doubts he'd run both horses.

Pollard's Vision, 17th in the Derby, also is a possibility for the Ohio Derby, but again, he likely will not run if Limehouse goes. Therefore, Pletcher may have to search for a race for the Illinois Derby (gr. II) winner.

Purge, runner-up in the Rebel Stakes to Smarty Jones, will make his next start in the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont on May 22.

The up-and-coming Shaniko, an impressive allowance winner at Aqueduct last time out, will run in either the Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico on Preakness Day or an allowance race at Belmont the same day.

And finally, Bay Shore (gr. III) winner Forest Danger will head south for the $300,000 Carry Back Stakes at Calder on July 10.