No Pletcher at Arlington this meet

golfer · #1 04-21-2009, 07:02 PM

http://drf.com/news/article/103137.html

No Pletcher string at Arlington

Todd Pletcher, a mainstay at the Arlington meet the last two years, won't be sending a string to Chicago this summer, Arlington racing secretary Kevin Greely confirmed Tuesday morning. Pletcher's Arlington string occupied an entire barn, and his horses were regular participants in maiden and allowance races here. Pletcher said he'll instead operate a division at Delaware Park this summer.

"We loved Arlington, we loved the management there, the facilities are world-class, but the bottom line was it's isolated a bit from the main part of our business," Pletcher said Tuesday afternoon. "I thought it weakened our Saratoga division a little bit during that month. Part of the success we've had is moving horses from one place to another, and by going to Delaware it makes it that much easier. It was a really tough decision, though. I put it off as long as I could."

Also choosing Delaware over Arlington for 2009 is trainer Ronny Werner, while trainer Bill Mott will have five stalls here compared to the 24 he had in 2008. But Greely said he believes that the arrivals of several new outfits this year, among them Donnie Von Hemel, whose string will occupy an entire barn, will help offset Pletcher's departure.

PatCummings · #2 04-21-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfer

http://drf.com/news/article/103137.html

No Pletcher string at Arlington

Todd Pletcher, a mainstay at the Arlington meet the last two years, won't be sending a string to Chicago this summer, Arlington racing secretary Kevin Greely confirmed Tuesday morning. Pletcher's Arlington string occupied an entire barn, and his horses were regular participants in maiden and allowance races here. Pletcher said he'll instead operate a division at Delaware Park this summer.

"We loved Arlington, we loved the management there, the facilities are world-class, but the bottom line was it's isolated a bit from the main part of our business," Pletcher said Tuesday afternoon. "I thought it weakened our Saratoga division a little bit during that month. Part of the success we've had is moving horses from one place to another, and by going to Delaware it makes it that much easier. It was a really tough decision, though. I put it off as long as I could."

Also choosing Delaware over Arlington for 2009 is trainer Ronny Werner, while trainer Bill Mott will have five stalls here compared to the 24 he had in 2008. But Greely said he believes that the arrivals of several new outfits this year, among them Donnie Von Hemel, whose string will occupy an entire barn, will help offset Pletcher's departure.

First positive news for Delaware Park racing in YEARS.

#3 04-21-2009, 07:16 PM

Aww poor CDI.

Bobby Fischer · #4 04-21-2009, 09:41 PM

his occasional underlays will be missed

golfer · #5 04-22-2009, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cardus

Since when do you post after 7:00 a.m.?

No hockey game to watch. This better?

I know some here (including myself) who think this is good news.

brianwspencer · #6 04-22-2009, 07:39 AM

I'm not sure how I feel about this.

But I am sure that I will miss the one random Saturday that he shows up.

Danzig · #7 04-22-2009, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfer

No hockey game to watch. This better?

I know some here (including myself) who think this is good news.

game four tonite. ought to be a good one. what's the word on avery? that guy completely went off the deep end monday.

slotdirt · #8 04-22-2009, 08:21 AM

First positive Delaware news in years? Granted the fields stink there, but how many really solid horses in the last five years have had their career debuts at none other than Delaware Park?

South Beach Luv · #9 04-22-2009, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slotdirt

First positive Delaware news in years? Granted the fields stink there, but how many really solid horses in the last five years have had their career debuts at none other than Delaware Park?

I dunno but my namesake on here is currently training there - keep an eye on her

NTamm1215 · #10 04-22-2009, 08:50 AM

That's the work of a good, new racing secretary at Delaware who actively recruited high profile barns. Getting a guy like Ronny Werner to come to Delaware is solid and of course, TAP will help fill the entry box.

That can't be good news for Arlington, as in addition to losing Pletcher and Werner, Mott is only going to have 5 stalls.

NT

blackthroatedwind · #11 04-22-2009, 08:58 AM

How could anyone leave the safety of synthetics for the dangers of dirt?

dellinger63 · #12 04-22-2009, 08:58 AM

This is not good news for Arlington but good for GBbob and other local owners.

Cannon Shell · #13 04-22-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

That's the work of a good, new racing secretary at Delaware who actively recruited high profile barns. Getting a guy like Ronny Werner to come to Delaware is solid and of course, TAP will help fill the entry box.

That can't be good news for Arlington, as in addition to losing Pletcher and Werner, Mott is only going to have 5 stalls.

NT

Sounds like good news to me

NTamm1215 · #14 04-22-2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Sounds like good news to me

Just a few more out of your way in the march to the top of the AP trainer standings.

NT

GBBob · #15 04-22-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NTamm1215

Just a few more out of your way in the march to the top of the AP trainer standings.

NT

Well..if Calabrese doesn't go 50% the first month, that will open things up a bit.

BUT...Cat/Cal were spotted lunching together at KEE last Wednesday so anything is possible