Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher is all set for grade 2 Jim Dandy at the Saratoga racecourse. He brought his reigning champion Forte for this race again. The two-year-old colt will have to face tough competition in a compact field. But, he proved his strength after finishing second at Belmont stakes.

Before the stakes, he was on a ten-week rest after scratching because of a bruised foot. That seems not to bother him and gave a brave fight to the winner Arcangelo, but lost by one and a half-length in the ‘Test of Champions’. Other than that he is in a winning form this year and will race in the coming event with some enhancement.

Forte all set for Jim Dandy with blinkers

The son of Violence has been training hard. He has done his final exercise run for the Jim Dandy by pursuing a half-mile in 50 seconds. He did this along with blinkers, which he will wear for the first time at the race. At the last training, he was accompanied by Emmanuel, a graded stakes-winning stablemate. Speaking on the blinkers, the trainer Todd Pletcher said, “It’s hard to think about making a change off multiple [good performances] in a row, but he’s always been a very intelligent colt and he’s gotten a little more complacent“.

The trainer feels that the blinkers will help the colt in getting more focus on the race. He appreciates Forte that he takes everything so easily and maybe that’s a sign of his maturity. He also praised his efforts at Belmont, competing in a long race after a gap of weeks. “It was a frustrating spring and he ran terrific in the Belmont considering what he was up against“, conceded Pletcher.

Todd Pletcher-trained Forte will have to face tough competition from Brad Cox-trained Angel of Empire and Hit Show. But for two-time, Eclipse Award-winning trainer Jim Dandy is a stepping stone for the next month, Travers. Forte has formidable work to perform at the track to win the $500,000 prize.

Forte Racetrack Career

Forte, the three-year-old colt has started racing in 2022. He is the son of Violence and Queen Caroline. He has eight starts in his entire career in which he finished in first position six times. His major achievements are being awarded the Eclipse Award 2022 Champion for the 2-Year-Old Colt. Before Belmont stakes, he had won at Gulfstream Park’s Grade 2 Fountain of Youth and Grade 1 Florida Derby. He had also won a trio of Grade 1s in the Spa’s Hopeful, and the Breeders’ Futurity as a Juvenile.  Besides these Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland awarded him with his Champion honors.

Read More: “You Know What Happens in That Race”: Jockey Breaks Silence on Riding Kentucky Derby Favorite Forte

Forte was purchased for $110,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale from Eaton Sales and is a direct descendant of Reine-de-Course mare La Troienne. Irad Ortiz Jr is the jockey of Forte in all races. Forte’s lifetime earning is $2,679,830.

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