Pletcher barn gears up for rich Belmont Stakes card

ELMONT, N.Y. – Before the heavy rain came and impacted track conditions Friday, trainer Todd Pletcher got in key workouts for several of his Belmont Stakes Day runners.

Ivy Bell and Unbridled Mo worked a half-mile in 48.95 seconds in company for next Saturday’s Grade 1 Ogden Phipps. Pletcher said he might cross-enter Ivy Bell in Friday’s Bed o’ Roses but is leaning toward the Phipps.

In Friday’s workout, Unbridled Mo, under John Velazquez, began a length behind Ivy Bell, but the two were on even terms through an opening quarter in 25.25. The pair came home in 23.70 and continued on through seven furlongs in 1:28.92, with Ivy Bell a tad stronger on the gallop-out.

“I thought they both worked very well, both are in good form,” Pletcher said.

Hi Happy and Blind Ambition worked a half-mile together in 48.79. Hi Happy is pointing to the Grade 1 Manhattan, while Blind Ambition will run in the Grade 2 Jaipur.

Late in the morning, after rain turned the training track into a sea of slop, Pletcher called another audible and moved eight scheduled workers to the main track. Among that group were Hard Study and Outplay, who went a half-mile in company in 48.75 for the Grade 2 Brooklyn Invitational.

Outshine, one of three horses Pletcher is pointing to Friday’s Tremont Stakes, worked a half-mile in 50.04 in company with March X Press. Velazquez was aboard Outshine, who will be joined in the Tremont by Social Fan and Sombeyay, who worked a half-mile in company Thursday in 48.94.

◗ The 3-year-old Montauk, a sharp-looking 11 1/4-length debut winner here last October for Pletcher, worked three furlongs in 37 seconds over the training track Friday. It was his first work since February. Pletcher said if all goes well, Montauk could race in six to eight weeks.