Famed trainer Todd Pletcher, known for his consecutive triumphs with juvenile champions, faces a challenging season. This year, Pletcher’s stable lacks the depth and readiness typically expected from a top-tier conditioner. Despite his success with older horses, his 3-year-olds are lagging behind in their development, leaving him to play catch-up as the road to the Kentucky Derby heats up.

Challenges with Young Prospects

Pletcher’s younger horses have not met the early-season expectations set by his previous champions. His only representative on the Kentucky Derby leaderboard, Tip Top Thomas, is not considered a strong contender. Similarly, Carmen’s Candy Jar, with just one qualifying point, is unlikely to make it to the Oaks. Pletcher acknowledges the need for significant improvement among his 3-year-olds to compete effectively in upcoming races.

The trainer admits that while he has a strong hand with his 4-year-olds, his 3-year-olds are underperforming. "We’re a little light on 3-year-olds," he confessed. "I wish we had a deeper bench." The delayed debuts of promising colts like River Thames and Grande further complicate matters. These horses were initially slated to debut at Saratoga last summer but faced setbacks that put them behind schedule. Pletcher remains optimistic, noting that timing is crucial in the Triple Crown races. "It’s about what happens in April and the first week in May," he emphasized.

Hope in Older Runners

Despite the challenges with his younger prospects, Pletcher finds solace in the performance of his older horses. Fierceness, Locked, and Mindframe are among the top contenders in training. Fierceness, recuperating from elective surgery, is targeting major races like the Met Mile and Whitney. Locked, despite a poor start in the Pegasus World Cup, showed promise and may compete in prestigious events such as the Saudi Cup and Dubai World Cup. Mindframe, after a brief hiatus due to bone bruising, is poised for a productive 4-year-old campaign.

Pletcher’s strategy for his 3-year-olds includes gradually preparing them for longer distances. Grande, who debuted impressively over a mile, will aim for an allowance race before focusing on two-turn Derby preps. River Thames, another recent debutant, also demonstrated potential and will be carefully stretched out. Vassimo, already showing promise with two wins, is set to target stakes races like the Risen Star or Fountain of Youth. While Pletcher’s 3-year-olds face an uphill battle, the trainer remains focused on nurturing their development for a successful Triple Crown campaign.