After Saturday work, Mark Glatt aims Dr. Schivel to Met Mile

Following a six-furlong work by Dr. Schivel on Saturday at Santa Anita, trainer Mark Glatt said the multiple Grade 1 winner would ship to New York and run in next Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park.

Glatt had been eyeing either the Met Mile or the $250,000 True North (G2) going 6 1/2 furlongs also at Belmont Park. Both races are part of the undercard for next Saturday’s 155th Belmont Stakes.

“We think both races are very tough, but the Met Mile could do wonders for his stud career," Glatt said Saturday. “We figured this will likely be the last chance for him. He’s fresh, he’s sharp off that comeback win we feel it’s as good a time as any to give it a try.”

A 5-year-old horse by Violence, Dr. Schivel is owned by Red Baron’s Barn, Rancho Temescal, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and William A. Branch. He had been sidelined more than 13 months before returning May 13 at Santa Anita and rolling to 4 1/4-length victory.

Dr. Schivel has a record of 11: 6-2-2 with $1,119,100 in earnings. As a 2-year-old in 2020, he won the Del Mar Futurity (G1). The following year he won the Bing Crosby (G1) and Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2) before an agonizing nose loss in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar.

Also slated to run in the Met Mile are Santa Anita-based Taiba for Bob Baffert and Slow Down Andy for trainer Doug O’Neill. Entries for the Met Mile and the rest of the Belmont Stakes program will be taken on Tuesday. Glatt said Dr. Schivel will ship to Belmont Park that same day.