Pletcher says Always Dreaming remains on-track for Derby

Published Apr. 2, 2017 1:19 p.m. ET

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (AP) Always Dreaming came out of his Florida Derby win healthy and will stay put for a couple of weeks before heading to the Kentucky Derby, trainer Todd Pletcher said Sunday.

''All is well,'' Pletcher said.

Always Dreaming posted the fastest winning time at the Florida Derby since Alydar in 1978. Always Dreaming prevailed in 1 minute, 47.47 seconds, while Alydar was clocked in 1:47 flat.

The Florida Derby win was worth 100 points in the system used to determine which 20 horses are invited to the Kentucky Derby, and that was more than enough to ensure that Always Dreaming will have a spot in that field if he stays healthy over the next month. He will remain at Palm Beach Downs for at least a couple more weeks before going to Churchill Downs.

''He's showing us all the signs you're hoping for,'' Pletcher said.

Always Dreaming is one of four Pletcher trainees who are in line to qualify for the Kentucky Derby, along with Tapwrit, Malagacy and Patch. A fifth possibility, Battalion Runner, could earn a spot with a strong showing at the Wood Memorial in New York on Saturday.

Battalion Runner got his final workout in Sunday for the Wood. He'll ship to New York on Tuesday.

''He's had a good, steady series of solid works so this is more of a maintenance type work before he ships north,'' Pletcher said. ''He looked good and was moving well. It was a nice, relaxed work by himself and he seemed to come out of it well.''

Pletcher has sent 45 horses to the Kentucky Derby. That's No. 2 in the all-time trainer entry standings, three behind his mentor D. Wayne Lukas. Pletcher's lone win at the Run for the Roses came with Super Saver in 2010.

''It's the hardest race in the world to win,'' Pletcher said.