Life Is Good, Malathaat among Pletcher workers
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ELMONT, N.Y. - In addition to his two prospects for the Belmont Stakes - Mo Donegal and Nest - trainer Todd Pletcher worked several other notable runners on Friday morning at Belmont Park.
Life Is Good, the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and Pegasus World Cup Invitational winner, breezed a half-mile in 49.05 seconds by himself over the Belmont training track. He is preparing for a start in the Grade 2, $250,000 John Nerud Stakes here on July 2.
Friday’s work was the first for Life Is Good at a track since he returned from Dubai following a fourth-place finish in the $12 million World Cup at Meydan on March 27. Two weeks ago, Life Is Good had a three-furlong breeze at WinStar Farm, where he spent about six weeks following his return from Dubai.
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“Looks good,” Pletcher said. “I think he’s maintained his conditioning level very well. Right now, we have the Nerud targeted for July 2, which gives us five weeks back to the Whitney.”
Malathaat, last year’s 3-year-old filly champion, worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 inside of Fearless, who was credited with the same time. Malathaat is pointing to the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps on June 11, while Fearless, the Grade 3 Ghostzapper winner, is scheduled to run in the Grade 2 Brooklyn on that same card.
Wit, winner of the Grade 3 Bay Shore, worked five furlongs out of the gate in 1:01.05 as he prepares for a start in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens, also on June 11.
Shahama, the UAE Oaks winner who finished sixth in the Kentucky Oaks, worked a half-mile in 49.96 seconds. She is pointing to the Mother Goose on June 25.
Corniche, last year’s 2-year-old champion previously trained by Bob Baffert, arrived at Pletcher’s barn a few weeks ago on the same van that brought Life Is Good from Kentucky. Pletcher said Corniche is expected to have his first breeze for him next week.
Meanwhile, Pletcher will have to find another spot in which to bring the Grade 1 winner Americanrevolution back to the races. Monday’s $200,000 Commentator Stakes for New York-breds attracted only three entrants and was not carded.