Pletcher: What's next for Belmont Derby, Oaks runners, 6 others

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher saddled Con Lima and Sainthood for formidable efforts in Saturday’s opening legs of the Turf Triple series, with the former a front-running second in the Belmont Oaks (G1) and the latter a close fifth in the Belmont Derby (G1).

Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Joseph Graffeo, Eric Nikolaus Del Toro and Troy Johnson, Con Lima entered the Belmont Oaks from a prominent win in the nine-furlong Wonder Again (G3). On Saturday, she set a smart pace under Flavien Prat in the 10-furlong test over good going. The Commissioner filly opened a 1 1/2-length lead at the stretch call and fought bravely to the wire, falling just a half-length short of the rallying Santa Barbara.

Pletcher said Con Lima likely will progress to the 1 3/16-mile, $700,000 Saratoga Oaks Invitational (G3).

“She ran her heart out. It was a big effort from her,” said Pletcher. “She handled the distance fine and ran well enough to give her another shot.”

Sainthood, a dark bay son of Mshawish owned by CHC and WinStar Farm, enjoyed a ground-saving trip under Joel Rosario in his turf debut in the Belmont Derby.

Sitting just off a moderate pace, Sainthood progressed along the inside down the lane but failed to make up the needed ground en route to a fifth-place finish, just 2 1/4 lengths back of the victorious Bolshoi Ballet.

“He ran well. He had a good trip but just couldn't quite polish it off,” said Pletcher. “I thought he ran a respectable race.”

Pletcher said Sainthood, who graduated on the Fair Grounds dirt in February and won the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) on the Turfway synthetic in March, could turn back in the one-mile $200,000 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (G2) on Aug. 6 at the Spa.

“He's versatile enough and proven he can run well on three different surfaces. It leaves us with a lot of different options,” said Pletcher. “We'll see how he bounces out of it, but something like the Hall of Fame might make sense.”

WinStar Farm’s Country Grammer, last-out winner of the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) in May at Santa Anita, breezed a half-mile in 49.22 in company with Peter Pan (G3) winner Promise Keeper on the dirt training track on Sunday.

Country Grammer is working toward a start in the nine-furlong $1 million Whitney (G1) on Aug. 7 at the Spa, which offers a win-and-you're-in berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic.

“He's an honest workhorse but, the more we're around him it seems he's really good at just clicking off those 12s,” said Pletcher. “We'll put a couple more good works into him and have him ready for the Whitney.”

Pletcher said Promise Keeper, a sophomore son of Curlin, will target either the $600,000 Jim Dandy (G2) on July 31 at Saratoga or the West Virginia Derby (G3) on Aug 7 at Mountaineer.

Malathaat worked a half-mile in 49.96 on the dirt training track in company with Dynamic One on Saturday in preparation for the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), a nine-furlong test for sophomore fillies on July 24 at Saratoga

“She went great. I'm really pleased with the way she's doing,” said Pletcher. “She worked well with a big, strong gallop out. We'll probably have one breeze at Saratoga and she'll be ready to go.”

Undefeated in five starts, Malathaat won the Kentucky Oaks last out on April 30 on the heels of a head score in the Ashland (G1) on April 3 at Keeneland.

Out of the Grade 1-winning A.P. Indy mare Dreaming of Julia, Malathaat has worked consistently with Dynamic One, runner-up in the Wood Memorial (G2) in April, who finished 18th last out in the Kentucky Derby on May 1 at Churchill Downs.

“They've been workmates coming off similar schedules from the Oaks and Derby. They make good mates. She doesn't have any trouble holding her own,” said Pletcher, who noted that Dynamic One is probable for the $120,000 Curlin on July 30 at Saratoga.

Pletcher said the connections had contemplated starting Malathaat against the boys in the 12-furlong Belmont Stakes in June but that the filly has flourished with time between starts.

“We were strongly considering the Belmont, but my biggest concern was we had the two races back to back with the Ashland and the Oaks,” said Pletcher. “I was afraid a gut-wrenching mile and a half could set her back, and it's paid off. She's gained some weight and trained very well. Hopefully, it sets her up for a good Saratoga. She's pretty special. We're blessed to have her. You don't come across many like her.”

Pletcher said if all goes well in the CCA Oaks, a start in the $600,000 Alabama (G1) on Aug. 21 is likely.

Pletcher will saddle a pair of Shadwell Stable homebreds in Ajaaweed and Arham in a nine-furlong allowance event on the main track on Thursday, Opening Day of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course.

Slated for Race 7 on the 10-race card, Ajaaweed will exit post 12 under Hall of Famer John Velazquez, and Arham will leave from post 4 under Luis Saez.

The multiple-graded-stakes placed Ajaaweed worked a bullet half-mile over the Belmont turf in June, but Pletcher said he preferred to re-group on the main track after the colt’s off-the-board effort last out in the Brooklyn (G2).

“It didn't seem to me like he relished the turf even though the time seemed good,” said Pletcher. “He was kind of all in, I thought, so we'll give him another shot on the dirt and see how it goes. Dropping back into an allowance race should help him. I'm not crazy about the 12 post, but we'll do the best we can with it.”

Arham, a 4-year-old son of Union Rags, matched a career-best 91 Beyer last out with a runner-up effort in a 1 1/16-mile first-level allowance on June 19 at Belmont. He added blinkers for a bullet half-mile breeze in 48.62 on July 8 on the Belmont dirt training track.

“The horse is doing really well,” said Pletcher. “His last race was good, and we're adding blinkers because he seemed a little unfocused. I thought he worked well with the blinkers and I expect him to take a step forward.”