Pletcher eyeing Woodward for Comfort

Edited Press Release

Comfort came out of his second-place finish in Saturday’s Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga in good order, trainer Todd Pletcher said on a rainy Wednesday morning at the Spa.

The bay son of Indian Charlie finished just two lengths behind winner Frosted in his first Grade 1 start and, according to his trainer, could be a possibility for the $600,000 Woodward Stakes (G1) on September 3.

"(He) went back to the track this morning and seemed in good order," Pletcher said. "We'll give it some time to digest and see what we want to do."

Comfort registered a 102 BRIS Speed figure in the Whitney, marking the second straight race in which he's registered triple digits.

Stablemate Sweet Loretta breezed four furlongs in :48.58 on Tuesday over Saratoga’s fast main track. The unbeaten Tapit filly took her debut by seven lengths and then captured the Schuylerville Stakes (G3) last out on June 22 by 4 1/4 lengths. She is on target for the $350,000 Spinaway Stakes (G1) on September 3.

"She was due for a work and I got a little worried looking at the forecast that if I waited another day, it could be rained out," Pletcher said. "She looked good and came out of it well."

Stopchargingmaria registered her first official workout this month when she breezed four furlongs in :50.88 on Sunday at the Spa. Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) winner has not raced since a sixth-place finish in the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) on Belmont Stakes Day, June 11. That followed a season-opening neck second in the Madison Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on April 6.

Pletcher said the five-year-old Tale of the Cat mare will have a couple more workouts before he decides where to start her next.

"She came out of the breeze well. We're just waiting to see how she breezes back and then make a decision on either the ($750,000) Personal Ensign (Stakes [G1]), the ($500,000) Ballerina (Stakes [G1]) or something else," Pletcher said.

The Personal Ensign, set for 1 1/8 miles, and the Ballerina, sending runners seven furlongs, both take place on August 27 at the Spa.

Grade 2 hero Destin, third-place last out in the July 30 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2), is scheduled to breeze this weekend and is being pointed for the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) on August 27.

A pair of two-year-olds recently enjoyed stellar debuts for the Pletcher barn. Fact Finding, a son of The Factor, broke his maiden on August 6 as Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez kept him just off the pace before overtaking Casses Story in the stretch.

Another two-year-old drew national attention as Syndergaard, who was also piloted by Velazquez, took the early lead and held on for a three-length victory in a maiden special weight on Monday. Named after the New York Mets' All-Star pitcher, Noah Syndergaard, the Majesticperfection colt's victory drew attention from Fox Sports, ESPN and MLB.com, among other media outlets.

"That was fun," Pletcher said. "He had been training well so we thought he could run well; glad he did."

Comfort photo courtesy of NYRA/Chelsea Durand/Adam Coglianese Photography