Pletcher sends fresh pair in Kelso

ELMONT, N.Y. – Though he rerouted Protonico to the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup, trainer Todd Pletcher still has the talented duo of Tommy Macho and Anchor Down for Saturday’s Grade 2, $350,000 Kelso Handicap at Belmont Park.

Tommy Macho is making his first start since winning the Fred Hooper at Gulfstream in February. He underwent surgery to remove a chip from a knee and has come back a bit sooner than Pletcher anticipated.

“Everything has gone as well as we could have hoped,” Pletcher said. “He hasn’t missed a beat since he’s come back. We’re happy to have him back.”

Anchor Down, who won the Grade 3 Westchester here in May, missed a scheduled start in the Grade 1 Forego due to a quarter crack, Pletcher said.

Others entered in the Kelso include Ocean Knight, Point Piper, Tamarkuz, and Upstart.

Saturday’s card also includes the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Grade 1 Flower Bowl, Grade 1 Champagne, and Grade 1 Frizette.

In other stakes Saturday:

◗ Inspector Lynley, the winner of the Grade 3 Saranac at Saratoga in his most recent start, drew post 5 in a field of 10 for the Grade 3, $500,000 Hill Prince for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on the turf. He will take on a field that includes three from trainer Chad Brown – Annals of Time, Camelot Kitten, and Beach Patrol – as well as Conquest Daddyo, American Patriot, Dressed in Hermes, Monster Bea, Berliner, and Strike Midnight.

◗ Owners-breeders Frank and Patricia Generazio have a potent one-two punch of Pure Sensation and Disco Partner entered in a field of 10 for the inaugural $150,000 Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational. Pure Sensation, trained by Christophe Clement, won the Jaipur and Parx Dash in his two most recent starts and is returning from a foot injury. Disco Partner, trained by James Ryerson, is coming off a neck win in the Troy Stakes.