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Originally Posted by XIIPointStables
Will Pletcher (assuming Monba does not get the earnings needed this weekend) bring back Atoned or TW in the Lexington and try to at least get one in the starting gate?
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From the Keeneland Barn Notes...
“Monba went well this morning, and he’s a possibility for the Blue Grass or the (Grade 2 Coolmore) Lexington (on April 19),” Pletcher said about the son of Monarchos who races for Starlight, Lucarelli and Saylor. Monba won his career debut at Keeneland last October, then won a one-mile allowance at Churchill Downs. “Probably have to make a decision on Wednesday,” Pletcher added.
Stopping by the Pletcher barn Sunday morning was Cot Campbell, head of Dogwood Stable, whose Atoned finished fourth in Saturday’s Illinois Derby (G2) at Hawthorne Race Course. Atoned turned in the best finish of four Pletcher horses that competed in major Kentucky Derby preps across the country.
“It was a funny race yesterday because they finished like they started,” Campbell said of the Illinois Derby. “They just kind of got in single file and went around there.
“I don’t think he liked the surface and there wasn’t a lot of speed in ahead of him. I don’t know whether we may run him in the (Coolmore) Lexington, which is possible, or wait and try the Preakness (G1) or skip that and wait for the Peter Pan (G2). Those would seem to be the options.”
One option not mentioned was the Kentucky Derby and Campbell seemed to raise the white flag on that possibility.
“I don’t think he would get in with $125,000 (in graded stakes earnings),” Campbell said. “We wouldn’t throw anything out today, but maybe after he has been back here two or three days, we will see how he is and figure out something. But I would think $125,000 wouldn’t cut it (for being in the top 20 in graded stakes earnings).”