ELMONT, N.Y. – Trainer Christophe Clement sent out a pair of Breeders’ Cup probables to the Belmont Park main track early Sunday, with Plum Ali [Juveniles Fillies Turf] breezing three-eighths in 36.11 and Momos [Juvenile Turf Sprint] clocked in 35.20 over a Big Sandy track labeled fast.
Clement said he was pleased with both efforts before the pair ship to Lexington, Kentucky for the Breeders’ Cup Future Stars Friday at Keeneland. Plum Ali galloped out in 48.37 while Momos went in 49.22, according to DRF.
“They had an easy work on dirt and looked great,” Clement said. “I’m very happy with the two of them. They came back in good shape. Now, it’s just about keeping them happy as they ship off to Kentucky tomorrow, and we’ll go from there.”
The duo will look to give Clement his first career Breeders’ Cup win after a slew of close calls, with the conditioner saddling six runners-up, six third-place finishes and eight fourth-place efforts in 38 previous starts entering this year’s World Championships from November 6-7.
Owned by Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Bethlehem Stables, Plum Ali will put her 3-for-3 record on the line in the $1 million contest going one mile. The First Samurai filly made a successful debut on July 23 at Saratoga, posting a come-from-behind two-length victory going 1 1/16 miles. Cut back to the Juvenile Fillies Turf distance in her stakes debut, she again tracked the early speed before showing great closing speed, powering home a 2 ¾-length victor in the Mint Juvenile Fillies on September 7 at Kentucky Downs.
Stepping up to graded stakes company, Plum Ali improved her Beyer Speed Figure for a third consecutive race, netting an 82 for her 2 1/4-length win in the 1 1/16-mile Grade 2 Miss Grillo on October 4 over firm Belmont turf.
Momos, owned by Ironhorse Racing Stable and Secure Investments, also posted a debut win at the Spa, winning by 6 ½ furlongs over the main track on July 18. The son of Distorted Humor stayed on the same surface for a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special on August 7 before making his turf debut last out with a third-place effort – one length behind winner Second of July – in the Grade 3 Futurity going six furlongs on October 11 at Belmont.
Locally, Clement will also have stakes representation at Aqueduct Racetrack’s opening weekend, with the Irish-bred Magisterium ready for her second North American start in the $100,000 Stewart Manor for juvenile fillies going six furlongs on the outer turf on Saturday.
After making her first four starts in Great Britain, the daughter of Elzaam made the trek across the Atlantic and ran third in the Grade 3 Matron going six furlongs over firm Belmont grass on October 11. Magisterium also breezed Sunday at Belmont, going a half-mile in 53 flat over the soft inner turf.
“She also worked and had a good one,” Clement said. “It was a good start last time. She seems very comfortable here.”
Waterford Stable’s Speaktomeofsummer was also clocked in 53 flat over the inner turf on Sunday as she readies for stakes action at the Big A, with the 1 1/16-mile turf stakes in the $100,000 Winter Memories for 3-year-old fillies on November 15 a possibility. The winner of the 1 1/8-mile Lake Placid in July at Saratoga was second last out in the Grade 2 Sands Point going one mile on October 10 over the Belmont turf.
“Speaktomeofsummer had a very nice work on the grass and came back in good shape and is possible for a stakes coming up at Aqueduct.”
Otterbend Stables’ Gufo breezed a half-mile in 50.85 on the main track Sunday for the first time since winning the Grade 1 Belmont Derby on October 3. The Declaration of War sophomore has won three stakes this year, including the English Channel in May at Gulfstream Park and the Grade 3 Kent on July 4 at Delaware Park.
“Gufo had his first work back since his last race. It was a very easy work on dirt and he came back great,” Clement said.
Press Release
Photo: Trainer Christophe Clement watches works at Belmont. (Susie Raisher)
