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Options For Renegade Include Jim Dandy, Travers
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- Options For Renegade Include Jim Dandy, Travers
Trainer Todd Pletcher reported that Renegade and Powershift, respectively third and ninth in Saturday's Belmont Stakes (G1) presented by NYRA Bets, exited the race in good order and shared plans for both colts.
Renegade, the 8-5 favorite in the Belmont Stakes off his runner-up effort in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, raced behind horses in seventh, angled outside to launch his bid under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. turning for home before he was outkicked by top-two finishers Golden Tempo and Commandment, finishing 5 1/4-lengths behind the winner. Renegade, who is owned by Repole Stable and Robert and Lawana Low, won the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby by four lengths in April at Oaklawn Park.
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"Renegade got the position we thought he would," said Pletcher. "He was always sort of surrounded by horses and covered up behind horses. He was absolutely caked in dirt. It wasn't a bad trip; it was just one of those trips that [he] never got into a cozy position. I thought he kicked turning for home, but he did not have that sustained drive he had in Arkansas and at Churchill. He ended up being a little bit flat and I think a little more time would have benefited him, in retrospect."
Pletcher said he is considering multiple options for Renegade, including the Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell July 18 at Monmouth Park, the Grade 2 Jim Dandy August 1 at Saratoga Race Course, or training up to Saratoga's Grade 1 DraftKings Travers August 29.
"Renegade, we'll just monitor how he is doing," said Pletcher. "We will let him guide us."
Repole Stable's Powershift, backed at 11-1 off a 2 3/4-length maiden victory against elders May 2 on the Kentucky Derby undercard at Churchill Downs, set a contested pace before dropping back and being impeded by Growth Equity on the far turn, ultimately finishing last of nine, beaten 23 3/4-lengths with Luis Saez aboard.
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"We weren't intent on sending [Powershift]," said Pletcher. "We felt like if we were to make the lead the right way, which I think we ultimately did, that was the strategy. The fractions seemed reasonable. He just could not respond when needed."
An allowance race likely is the next spot for Powershift, Pletcher said.
"Powershift is eligible for an allowance race, and we're also trying to find what his ideal distance is," said Pletcher. "Obviously, it's going to be shorter than a mile and a quarter. Maybe it's around one turn."
This story was originally published by Paulick Report on Jun 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Paulick Report as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
