PLETCHER IS BANKING ON PAIR

Trainer Todd Pletcher, still in search of his elusive first win in a Triple Crown race, could have his best chance ever in the June 10 Belmont Stakes, when he'll saddle a pair of colts, Bluegrass Cat and Sunriver, who figure to be among the top three or four betting choices. "The defections of Barbaro and Bernardini have certainly changed the complexion of the race," Pletcher said. "Both horses are doing very well, and we're optimistic."
Bluegrass Cat, winner of last year's Nashua and Remsen, spent the winter and spring as one of the top-ranked contenders for the Kentucky Derby. But after finishing a distant fourth in the Blue Grass Stakes, Bluegrass Cat was dismissed in the Derby at 30-1. He ran back to his old form, however, to be second.
"He ran big," said Pletcher. "He was like a lot of horses that didn't seem to take to the Keeneland track and improved at Churchill. At little improvement off the Derby, and we'll be tough."

Bluegrass Cat breezed five furlongs yesterday at Belmont in 1:00.1. After being ridden in the Derby by Ramon Dominguez, who was subbing for regular rider John Velazquez after he broke his collarbone in an April 20 spill at Keeneland, Bluegrass Cat will likely be reunited with Johnny V. for the Belmont.
"I'm just trying to get fit," said Velazquez, who is back exercising horses and expects to begin riding races again this week. "I'm doing better than I thought I'd be doing at this point. I was jogging and doing physical therapy before I started getting on horses again. I just need to get a little more strength in my back and we'll go from there."
Sunriver, winner of the Peter Pan at Belmont on May 20, will be ridden by Rafael Bejarano.
At Hollywood Park yesterday, Belmont hopeful Sacred Light worked seven furlongs in 1:28 with jockey Victor Espinoza aboard.
"He was in company early and drew away from that horse by about five or six lengths," said trainer David Hofmans. "Our plan is to ship him to New York on Tuesday and work him over the track there Sunday."
Source: www.nypost.com