Bio for Interactif
Interactif, a two-time graded stakes winner on the turf as a juvenile, returns to conventional dirt for the first time since July of last year. The Todd Pletcher trainee has raced over synthetic tracks in his last two starts, finishing a solid second behind Sidney’s Candy in the Grade 2 San Felipe at Santa Anita and an even fourth in the Grade 1 Blue Grass at Keeneland. His connections have been impressed with his recent workouts on the dirt, inspiring them to take a shot in the Belmont. The son of Broken Vow figures to get a good stalking trip.
Click to view Past Performances
Prep Recap
| Date |
Trk |
Race |
Chart |
Distance |
Finish |
BSF |
Video |
| 3/13 |
SA |
San Felipe GII |
Chart |
1 1/8 miles |
2nd |
94 |
 |
| 4/10 |
KEE |
Blue Grass Stakes |
Chart |
1 1/8 miles |
4th |
82 |
|
Profile by Byron King
Strengths: He won a couple of graded stakes last year, and has run competitively in stakes this year. In March, he came within a half-length of eventual Santa Anita Derby winner Sidney's Candy in the Grade 2 San Felipe at Santa Anita. Even his effort in the Grade 1 Blue Grass was a respectable fourth-place finish behind Stately Victor, Paddy O'Prado, and First Dude. The form from that race was been validated, first when Paddy O'Prado was third in the Derby and later when First Dude ran second in the Preakness.
Weaknesses: He gives the appearance of a turf/synthetic performer. Although he won a maiden race on dirt last summer at Monmouth Park, he did so by just a head, and was later eighth in the Grade 2 Sanford at Saratoga. Since that time trainer Todd Pletcher has raced him exclusively on turf and synthetic surfaces. He even bypassed a chance to run him in the Kentucky Derby, although the horse had the graded stakes earnings to gain entry into the oversubscribed race. He also has not run for nearly two months. Being so fresh, he might become too aggressive in the early stages of the 1 1/2-mile Belmont, a concern for a colt winless beyond 1 1/16 miles.
Strategy: A stalker, he figures to be racing anywhere from two to five lengths off the leaders, depending on the pace. In light of his inexperience on dirt, if he can find a position toward the outside, away from the dirt being kicked back by the leaders, his chances of firing on dirt would improve.
Value: Even with Pletcher in his corner, his inexperience on dirt will likely result in this horse starting as a longshot. For those with faith that he can run as well, if not better, on dirt than he has been on turf and synthetic tracks, he will likely start at odds of approximately 15-1.
Pedigree Analysis By Dan Illman
Sire: Broken Vow is a son of Unbridled, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic. Unbridled won at distances from seven furlongs to 1 1/8 miles, but excelled in longer-distance races. He received 10 triple-digit Beyers around two turns, including a 116 winning the Grade 3 Ben Ali Stakes on Keeneland's dirt at 1 1/8 miles. Broken Vow also won the Grade 2 Iselin Handicap at nine furlongs at Monmouth. Not surprisingly, Broken Vow's progeny have done best going long. His daughter Unbridled Belle won six stakes races between 1 1/16 miles and 1 1/4 miles, including the Grade 1 Beldame.
Dam: Broad Pennant, an unraced daughter of stamina influence Broad Brush, has already foaled Stretching, a stakes winner at 1 1/16 miles on the grass. Another of Interactif's half-siblings, Wingspan, was twice Group 3-placed on turf in France at 1 5 1/6 miles. The second dam is a full sister to Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Miner's Mark, multiple Grade 1-placed Our Emblem, Grade 3-placed router Proud and True, and Oaklawn Handicap winner Traditionally. A half-sister, My Flag, won three Grade 1 races including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. The third dam, the great Personal Ensign, retired undefeated after 13 starts. She won seven Grade 1 races, including the Breeders' Cup Distaff and the Whitney Handicap. Her full brother Personal Flag was a multiple Grade 1 winner going long.
Outlook: Although Interactif has done his best running on turf and synthetic surfaces, he does own a victory on dirt. He is bred both sides for stamina.