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Pletcher workers out in force on Sunday Just one day after finishing one-two in the Sheepshead Bay H. (G2) at Belmont Park with Honey Ryder (Lasting Approval) and Safari Queen (Arg) (Lode), trainer Todd Pletcher sent out a slew of workers on Belmont Park's fast dirt to get ready for their upcoming stakes tries. Heading the list of workers was Sam F. Davis winner ANY GIVEN SATURDAY (Distorted Humor), who breezed four furlongs in :49 4/5. The dark bay colt, last seen running eighth in the Kentucky Derby (G1), was making his return to the worktab after exiting the Derby with a hoof bruise. "That foot bruise absolved itself in about four days," Pletcher said. "Today was a nice easy breeze. We haven't really decided where we're going with him. The (July 4) Dwyer (G2) is a possibility." Grade 2 victress OCTAVE (Unbridled's Song), runner-up in the Ashland S. (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) in her past two starts, also breezed four furlongs, posting a time of :48 1/5. The gray miss gave her conditioner a one-two finish in the Oaks after stablemate Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy) scored in that nine-furlong test by 4 1/4 lengths. She could show up next on June 9, Belmont Stakes Day, in the Acorn S. (G1). Illinois Derby (G2) hero COWTOWN CAT (Distorted Humor), a well-beaten 20th and last in the Kentucky Derby most recently, worked a co-bullet five furlongs in :59 2/5. The chestnut colt, one of Pletcher's five entrants in the Kentucky Derby, could try his luck next out in the June 2 Ohio Derby (G2) at Thistledown. DEADLY DEALER (Concerto), unraced since a third in the Arkansas Derby (G2), breezed five furlongs in 1:01 2/5. The winner of the Arkansas Derby, Curlin (Smart Strike), returned to run third in the Kentucky Derby before battling back for a head victory in the Preakness S. (G1) last out. Deadly Dealer will steer well clear of that rival while showing up in the Woody Stephens Breeders' Cup S. (G2) on the Belmont S. (G1) undercard. "He's got good sprint form," Pletcher explained, "and he's doing well." Grade 2 victor MAGNA GRADUATE (Honor Grades), winner of the Razorback Breeders' Cup H. (G3) and Excelsior Breeders' Cup H. (G3) in his past two, logged a co-bullet five furlongs in :59 2/5. The dark bay five-year-old, who finished fourth but was elevated to third in the 2006 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1), is preparing for the Stephen Foster H. (G1) on June 16 at Churchill Downs. Multiple Grade 2 winner MASTER COMMAND (A.P. Indy) posted his five-furlong work in 1:00 3/5. The five-year-old chestnut, also expected for the Stephen Foster, will try to keep his 2007 record perfect in that 1 1/8-mile event after taking the Mineshaft H. (G3), New Orleans H. (G2) and National Jockey Club H. (G3) so far this year. "Both of those horses are going great," the three-time Eclipse Award-winning conditioner said. Pletcher also sent out two of his turf runners. Champion and multiple Grade 1 queen WAIT A WHILE (Maria's Mon), fifth on Keeneland's Polytrack last out in the Jenny Wiley S. (G2), breezed four furlongs on the firm inner turf in :50. Multiple Grade 1 hero ENGLISH CHANNEL (Smart Strike), unplaced in the Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1) in late March, breezed five grassy furlongs in 1:02.
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