Pletcher Trio Heads Comely Stakes at Aqueduct

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher sends out a trio of fillies—Life Talk , Scalable , and Audacious—Nov. 30 in the Comely Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct. Recently sixth behind Horse of The Year candidate Thorpedo Anna  in the Cotillion Stakes (G1) at Parx Racing, Scalable looks to find some class relief in Saturday’s race at 1 1/8 miles. 

The 3-year-old daughter of Speightstown, racing with the silks of Repole Stable, won the Monmouth Oaks (G3) July 27 and looks to return to her winning form. She will have to face stablemate Life Talk, who finished a fast-closing second in the Seneca overnight stakes at Churchill Downs Sept. 21. Life Talk, a daughter of Gun Runner  , also is owned by Repole Stable. She is 0-for-3 this year after winning the Demoiselle Stakes (G2) last December at Aqueduct. 

“She’s such a cool horse. She tries so hard every single time and she always brings it,” said Stu Hampson, Pletcher’s New York assistant. “She’s had an extended appearance in our barn [at Belmont] and we’ve grown fond of her. She’s such a little fighter and she’s a likeable horse. She’s doing well.”

Pletcher also sends out the lightly raced Audacious (Into Mischief  ). Recently a game second to Neon Icon in an allowance optional claiming race at Keeneland, the $700,000 Keeneland September purchase makes her fifth career start Saturday.

The three fillies put in their final works Nov. 25, going a half-mile over the Belmont Park dirt training track. 

“All three worked very well, with strong gallop-outs,” said Hampson. “Going into a race like this, we’re happy where we sit. We’ll let them sort themselves out this week and we’ll see what we’ve got. We’re excited to go over there with three live horses.”