Three Pletcher stablemates work for Met Mile

ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Todd Pletcher is putting together a formidable foursome for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Metropolitan Handicap on the June 11 Belmont Stakes program.

On Friday, Pletcher sent three of the four out for workouts over the Belmont Park training track.

Anchor Down, impressive winner of the Grade 3 Westchester Stakes on May 7, worked a strong five furlongs in 1:00.06 in company with the 3-year-old Decorated Soldier. They went an opening quarter-mile in 24.12 seconds and got their final three furlongs in 35.94. The pair galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.46

“That would be a more enthusiastic work than he would generally put forth,” Pletcher said of Anchor Down. “It was good.”

Anchor Down has been a bit inconsistent throughout his career, but he is coming off his best performance yet in the Westchester.

“It’s encouraging he won a mile race over the track,” Pletcher said. “I think he’s finding himself in the best form of his career right now for whatever reason.”

Also working for the Met Mile Friday were Stanford, the Charles Town Classic winner, who went five furlongs in 1:01.67 in company with Belmont Stakes contender Destin. Stanford is typically a good work horse and Friday’s move was no different.

Blofeld, winner of the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap, went five furlongs in 1:01.47 in company with Mini Sala. He went off his first eighth very slowly but finished the work in 23.23 seconds.

Pletcher’s other Met Mile hopeful, Mshawish, was scheduled to work Saturday.

Also working Friday for Pletcher was Curalina, last year’s Grade 1 Acorn winner who went a half-mile in 49.15 seconds in company with Rachel’s Valentina. Curalina is pointing to the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps on the June 11 card. Rachel’s Valentina will run in either the Acorn or await the Grade 1 Mother Goose on July 2.

Stopchargingmaria, who is expected to join Curalina in the Phipps, was scheduled to work Saturday at Saratoga.