Rags to Riches Prepares for Gazelle Stakes

In her first race since winning the Belmont Stakes in June, Rags to Riches will have her sights set on the finishing line at the Gazelle Handicap this Saturday. (AP Images)

Todd Pletcher has worked her sparingly since she came down with a fever a few weeks ago.

“It has been a little while since she has run, and she is going a mile-and-an-eighth (in the Gazelle), so I wanted to cover my bases,” Pletcher explained. “I thought she went well; she’s fit and ready.”

Rags to Riches probably won’t race again until the Breeders’ Cup at Monmouth at the end of October. Pletcher is leaning towards entering her in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff rather than the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic.

“Right now, the Distaff is more likely,” Pletcher said. “We will leave a little window open just in case. We probably wouldn’t finalize any decision until the week leading up to the Breeders’ Cup. It would depend on how she ran in the Gazelle and who all shows up in the Classic.”

The Fall Meet continues at Belmont Park with three more Breeders' Cup prep races on Sept. 15. Get all your online horse betting over at the Bodog Racebook.