Candied Tops Wide Open Alabama
By: Mary Eddy NYRA
Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher will have two chances to secure a fifth victory in the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama presented by Keeneland Sales as he sends out Grade 1-winner Candied and promising stakes-winner Miss Justify in Saturday’s 10-furlong test for sophomore fillies at Saratoga Race Course.
The two talented fillies posted a steady work in company on August 2, covering a half-mile in 50.66 seconds over the Spa main track.
“They seemed to make good companions. I’m happy with the way they did it,” said Pletcher, whose past Alabama wins came with Princess of Sylmar [2013], Stopchargingmaria [2014], Malathaat [2021] and Nest [2022].
Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ Candied arrives from a runner-up finish to divisional leader Thorpedo Anna in the nine-furlong Grade 1 Coaching Club American Oaks on July 20 here. The daughter of Candy Ride was patiently ridden by Manny Franco, stalking in third-of-4 behind an even tempo set by Grade 1-winning stablemate Leslie’s Rose. She made up ground willingly when asked to angle 2-to-4-wide in the final turn, but could not catch the powerful Thorpedo Anna and was defeated 4 1/2 lengths.
Pletcher said he was pleased with the bay’s effort behind a standout like Thorpedo Anna, who is targeting the Grade 1 DraftKings Travers against males on August 24.
“She’s been super consistent, just second-best last time,” said Pletcher. “I think she’ll handle the mile and a quarter. With Thorpedo Anna going to the Travers, I think this race is much more wide open.”
Candied brings top Grade 1 form to the field of eight after taking the Alcibiades in October at Keeneland. She closed out her juvenile campaign with a solid third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies in November at Santa Anita Park, and returned in April to finish fourth in the Grade 1 Ashland at Keeneland. The filly came up just shy on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, and did not draw into the prestigious Grade 1 test on the first Friday in May after landing on the also-eligible list.
After a two-month respite, she made a grand return against elders in Monmouth Park’s Listed Lady’s Secret, crushing the 1 1/16-mile route by 4 1/2 lengths over Honor D Lady, who exited that race to win the Grade 2 Delaware Handicap on July 7. Candied was awarded a career and field-best 99 Beyer Speed Figure for the victory.
Bred in Kentucky by Buck Pond Farm, Candied was a $165,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale and has banked $784,675 in earnings through a 6-3-1-1 record.
Franco returns to the irons from post 7.