WPT sends a duo of juveniles to Fairplex this weekend for the Barretts restricted stakes. Pure Indy and Tree of Life both found the winner’s circle first time out for trainer Craig Dollase at Del Mar this summer and both are hoping to use these races as a springboard to graded stakes next month.
Both 2-year-olds were purchased at the Barretts March 2-Year-Old in Training Sale by the WPT buying team, led by Terry Finley. The races this weekend are restricted to horses sold at any Barretts sale.
WPT sends a duo of juveniles to Fairplex this weekend for the Barretts restricted stakes. Pure Indy and Tree of Life both found the winner’s circle first time out for trainer Craig Dollase at Del Mar this summer and both are hoping to use these races as a springboard to graded stakes next month.
Both 2-year-olds were purchased at the Barretts March 2-Year-Old in Training Sale by the WPT buying team, led by Terry Finley. The races this weekend are restricted to horses sold at any Barretts sale.
Pure Indy, a chestnut daughter of Pure Prize will be the heavy favorite in Saturday’s Barrett’s Debutante after earning an 81 Beyer in her debut on September 1. A solid performance on Saturday likely lands her in the starting gate for the Grade 1 Alcibiades on October 5 at Keeneland and the Breeders’ Cup.
“Our original plan was to just train up to the Alcibiades,” said Craig Dollase. “We figured she’d be the big favorite in here though, and it would give her experience around two turns before heading to the grade one. This filly has a lot of quality about her.”
“We love how she breezed at Fairplex prior to the sale in March,” said Terry Finley. “She couldn’t have bounced out of her debut any better and if she runs well on the dirt, it’ll give us some options when it comes to the Breeders’ Cup.”
Tree of Life, a son of Lion Heart broke his maiden at odds of nearly 23-1 on September 18 at Del Mar. He’s one of only two winners entered in Sunday’s $100,000 Barretts Juvenile.
A solid performance by this colt could land him on the same plane to the Bluegrass as Pure Indy for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity on October 6 at Keeneland.
“This horse surprised us a little bit first time out,” said Craig Dollase. “I’ve always liked him but figured he’d need more ground. We love how he settled then mowed them down late. He’s got great wind and acts like one who should get over any surface.”
“He sold toward the end of the night at Barretts after we’d already purchased two horses,” said Terry Finley. “He just kept coming back into my mind so we took a shot on him when he came into the ring, and got great value. He’s got a versatile pedigree, and acts like a horse on the improve.”
Saturday’s Barretts Debutante is race 10 on the card with a 4:45 pm PT post time. Pure Indy breaks from post seven. Sunday’s Barretts Juvenile is also race 10 on the card with a 4:45 pm PT post time. Tree of Life breaks from post eight. Both horses will be ridden by Victor Espinoza.
