Callaghan sends sharp pair for Penn Mile card

California horseman Simon Callaghan is planning a two-pronged assault on the East Coast the next two weekends.

On Wednesday, he sent the turf runners Encumbered and Treasuring east on a charter flight to compete at Penn National on Saturday.

Callaghan also has a pair of runners for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. He plans to start two-time Grade 1 winner American Gal in the seven-furlong Bed o’ Roses on June 8 and Moonshine Memories in the Grade 1 Acorn the next day on the Belmont Stakes undercard.

Encumbered, who will be making his first start of the year, is a top contender in the Grade 2, $500,000 Penn Mile. Treasuring is a leading player in the $200,000 Penn Oaks, which also will be run at a mile.

Encumbered won the Del Mar Juvenile Turf last year. The Penn Mile will be his first start since he backed up in the stretch of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and finished 13th after stalking the pace to the top of the lane.

Callaghan said he came out of the race “a little sore” and that he underwent minor surgery.

“He’s been showing us he’s every bit as good as last year and maybe better,” he said. “We think he’s this kind of horse.”

Encumbered drew post 2 and will have Mario Gutierrez aboard.

A field of eight was entered Wednesday for the Penn Mile. Maraud, who is trained by Todd Pletcher, comes into the race off a 1 1/2-length victory over yielding ground in the Grade 2 American Turf on the Kentucky Derby undercard and is the likely favorite.

Maraud will be ridden by John Velazquez and starts from post 3.

Hawkish was cross-entered in the Penn Mile and the $200,000 Pennine Ridge, a 1 1/8-mile turf race at Belmont Park on Saturday. Trainer Jimmy Toner is reportedly leaning toward shipping to Penn National.

Hawkish, a winner of two of three starts, drew post 6. Manny Franco will be in to ride.

The field also includes Coltandmississippi, Joel Rosario the jockey, Pletcher the trainer, post 1; Therapist, Irad Ortiz Jr., Christophe Clement, post 4; Way Early, Kendrick Carmouche, George Weaver, post 5; Smart Remark, Jose Lezcano, Victoria Oliver, post 7; and He’s Bankable, Tyler Gaffalione, Mark Casse, post 8.

A field of seven was entered in the Penn Oaks. Thewayiam could go favored for trainer Graham Motion. She finished a hard-trying to second to Rushing Fall last out in the Grade 2 Appalachian at Keeneland.

Thewayiam drew post 3 with Irad Ortiz Jr. named to ride.

Due to common ownership, Thewayiam will be coupled in the wagering with Classy Dancer, who is trained by Jason Servis.

There are five other stakes on the card, which begins at 3:45 p.m. Eastern.

– additional reporting by David Grening