Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (Gr 2, 1m) winner Pluck (More Than Ready) has been confirmed as targeting the Irish 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) to be run at the Curragh on May 21.
Vinery Australia purchased part of the talented colt post his Breeders’ Cup victory and race the horse in partnership with his original owners Team Valor.
Pluck overcame a near disastrous run around the opening bend, when he had to take up and alter course to avoid a fallen rival, to win the Juvenile Turf with a breathtaking last to first rally from the half-mile pole to the wire. One week later he had a new home after Team Valor transferred their entire team to Maryland-based, U.K born, Graham Motion. Motion, had success of his own at the Breeders’ Cup when shock winner Shared Account defeated Midday in the Filly & Mare Turf.
The Thoroughbred Times reports Pluck has had a series of slow works over the turf course at the Palm Meadows training center the past month before finally getting the opportunity to stretch his legs a little bit on Friday, drilling five furlongs in 1:01.60 around the dogs under exercise rider David Nava.
“That was his first serious five-eighths,” Motion said, “Right now we’re still pointing for the Irish Guineas. I’d like to get a race for him prior to that. I imagine it will be at Keeneland in the Transylvania.”
The Transylvania is a Grade 3 feature for three-year-olds on Turf on April 8.
