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Opry hopes for grand performance in G3 Pilgrim

by Najja Thompson

Set to make his first start since winning the Grade 3 With Anticipation at Saratoga Race Course, Opry will headline a field of 11 in the 40th running of the Grade 3, $200,000 Pilgrim for juveniles going 1 1/16 miles on the inner turf Saturday at Belmont Park. 

One of four graded stakes races on the day, including the Grade 1, $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup, Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and the Grade 1, $350,000 Vosburgh, September Super Saturday will be televised regionally on Belmont Park Live from 4-6 p.m. ET on MSG+ and will also be available on NYRA NOW, the official digital streaming app of the New York Racing Association. 

Purchased for $180,000 as a yearling for owners Cheyenne Stables and Gaillardia Racing, Opry was scratched from his first intended start at Saratoga and made his debut on August 11 at the Spa in a race taken off the turf. He finished third in that effort and made his next start in the With Anticipation, where the son of Declaration of War lunged at the break but finished strong to win by 1 ½ lengths, earning a field-high 78 Beyer Speed Figure. 

"Initially, the plan was to run him on the turf and he drew the also-eligible," said Pletcher. "When that race came off the turf we decided not to run even though we could've drawn in. We entered him back and the race came off the turf again, so I figured he trained well enough on the dirt that we needed to get him started. He ran a respectable race that day and I'd been impressed enough with his turf works to think it wasn't crazy to enter him in the With Anticipation. Since then he's continued to develop and certainly has earned his way into running here."

Opry will depart from post 5 with Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano in the irons. 

Pletcher will also enter maiden Social Paranoia for the Elkstone Group. The son of Stress Boss has made four starts with three second-place finishes and one third. Making his turf debut in his most recent start on August 25 at Saratoga, he finished 1 ½ lengths behind fellow entrant Forty Under. 

"He's been second several times on turf and dirt but he's been training very well," said Pletcher. "In his last breeze, he worked in company with Opry and held his own. We'll add blinkers for this race and we think he's progressing well enough to take a shot with him in here."

Social Paranoia will leave from post 8 with Hall of Famer John Velazquez aboard.

Nedlaw Stable's Rhythm with Soul is also entered for trainer John Kimmel. A New York-bred son of Munnings, he made won his debut going 5 ½ furlongs on the turf, besting a field of 10. 

"He's out of a Kitten's Joy mare, but initially we worked him on the dirt and he was just moving very moderately," said Kimmel. "When we finally breezed him over the turf at Oklahoma [in Saratoga], we liked the way he moved and so we entered him for this race on the turf sprinting knowing it might be a bit short. He didn't break with much speed, but he began picking off horses and finished very strong. His gallop-out was also very impressive, leading us to believe he'll appreciate the added distance in the Pilgrim. Our only concern is how he'll handle the break at the start but once he gets into gear, he's proven he's got ability."

Drawing the rail, Rhythm with Soul will have the services of Luis Saez. 

Trainer Mike Maker, enters Somelikeithotbrown for Skychai Racing. A Big Brown colt, he finished second in the With Anticipation after breaking his maiden in his turf debut and second career start on August 8 at Saratoga.

Somelikeithotbrown will be ridden by Irad Ortiz, Jr. from post 7.

Rounding out the field are Forty Under for August Dawn Farm and trainer Jeremiah Englehart who broke his maiden in his most recent start on August 25 at Saratoga; Ole Mole for trainer Guadalupe Preciado and owner Nicholas Cammarano, Jr.; Spirit Animal for trainer Chad Brown and owner Klaravich Stables; Pipes for Dogwood Stable and trainer Gary Contessa; Vineyard Sound and Dashing Dan for trainer Michael Dilger and owners Vineyard Racing and George and Stephanie Autry; and main track-only entrant Casa Creed for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and LRE Racing.