Bloodhorse 9y

Pletcher horses get in work

Horse Racing

Karen Johnson contributed to this report

It was a busy day for trainer Todd Pletcher at Belmont Park the morning of May 22 as three of his hopefuls for the June 6 Belmont Stakes worked at the New York oval.

Working before the track maintenance break were Carpe Diem and Madefromlucky, who went in unison in :59.01 for five furlongs. Jockey John Velazquez was aboard Carpe Diem and exercise rider Patty Krotenko was up on Madefromlucky. The time for both horses, according to New York Racing Association clockers, was the fastest of 20 at the distance on the day.

Carpe Diem, the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes winner, is coming into the 1-1/2-mile Belmont off a 10th-place finish in the May 2 Kentucky Derby, and Madefromlucky won the Peter Pan Stakes last out on May 9.

"I think the track was fast, from what I gathered," Pletcher said of Carpe Diem and Madefromlucky's swift move. "It was a good and fast work. They both did well. Both were enthusiastic and weren't asked hard for what they did. They both galloped out strongly."

After the renovation break, Pletcher's Materiality, sixth in the Kentucky Derby, and Stanford -- who was scratched from the Run for the Roses and is not being pointed to the Belmont -- worked in company. The final time for five furlongs for both horses was 1:00.04. Velazquez was aboard Materiality.

Although he posted a slighter slower time, Pletcher was satisfied with Materiality's work as well.

"They went off a little bit slower the first part of their work [compared to Carpe Diem and Madefromlucky], but finished very well," Pletcher said of Materiality and Stanford's move. I was really happy with all the horses this morning."

Pletcher said not to read anything into Velazquez being on Materiality for his work. Javier Castellano had the mount on Materiality in the Kentucky Derby. Velazquez rode Carpe Diem. Pletcher has yet to confirm rider assignments.

Pletcher's Belmont hopefuls will work again next Friday, May 29, weather permitting.

"Hopefully, after their next works will be able to finalize our plans," Pletcher said.

In a Belmont Stakes work at Churchill Downs, Conquest Curlinate breezed five furlongs in :59 4/5 seconds for trainer Mark Casse, and galloped out six furlongs in 1:12 2/5 and seven panels in 1:26. The time was fourth-best for 20 working the distance early.

Conquest Curlinate finished second in the Peter Pan after also placing second in the Illinois Derby.

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