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Fields shaping up for Belmont's Memorial Day weekend Trainer Todd Pletcher will have the chance to take down a few graded stakes on Memorial Day at Belmont Park. The day's featured race is the Grade 1, $750,000 Metropolitan Handicap, and Pletcher is expected to run Cross Traffic and Discreet Dancer in the one-mile event for three-year-olds and up. Cross Traffic will enter the Met Mile off a hard-fought second to Flat Out in the Westchester on April 27 at Belmont, while Discreet Dancer is exiting a third in the Carter Handicap on April 6 at Aqueduct. "It's pretty rare that you see a horse who has come that far in such a short time," Pletcher said of GoldMark Farm's Cross Traffic. "He was an unraced four-year-old at the start of the year. He ran a huge race in the Westchester. He just lost to a tough, seasoned veteran who seems to love Belmont. We were very pleased with his race, and he's doing just as well or even better than he came into (the Westchester). "The Carter came up a very fast race," Pletcher said of Discreet Dancer, an E. Paul Robsham Stables homebred. "He won the mile race at Gulfstream, and we think the mile suits him well. He's coming up to it in good order, so we're excited about his chances as well." A talented contingent from California is expected to take on Cross Traffic and Discreet Dancer, with Jimmy Creed, Sahara Sky and Fed Biz aiming for the race, according to NYRA Stakes Coordinator Andrew Byrnes. Also probable are Mucho Macho Man, Swagger Jack, Mark Valeski and Fort Loudon. Handsome Mike is possible. Pletcher added that he plans to run Kauai Katie in the Grade 1 Acorn on the Met Mile undercard. She will likely be challenged by Cue the Moon, Let Me Entertain U, Manuka Honey, Midnight Lucky and Momentary Magic. In the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps for fillies and mares, Pletcher will run Disposablepleasure, with Authenticity listed as possible. "I'm keeping an eye on the Phipps with Authenticity, if it comes up a short field," the trainer said. "I'm just seeing how quickly she bounces back (off her win in the La Troienne on May 3 at Churchill Downs), but she's doing well. I'd say she's about 50-50 at this moment." The Ogden Phipps is also expected to attract Joyful Victory, Tiz Miz Sue and Centring. Pletcher said all of his contenders for Memorial Day stakes will breeze on Tuesday, pending weather. Belmont will present a pair of graded stakes on the turf next weekend, and, as usual, trainer Christophe Clement will be represented in both races. On Saturday, Belmont will conduct the Grade 2 Sheepshead Bay, a 1 3/8-mile race for fillies and mares. Clement said he will run Cheyenne Stables' Mystical Star, fourth in the Doubledogdare at Keeneland. In last year's Sheepshead Bay, Mystical Star was disqualified from third and placed last after beating the gate and rearing up. "She got beat the other day at Keeneland (in the Doubledogdare); I think she's a better filly for the race," Clement said. "Unfortunately, the race will be very competitive, but that's the way it is. She's doing well." Others pointing for the Sheepshead Bay are Hessonite, Starformer, Strathnaver, Anjaz, Julie's Love, Minakshi and Tannery. Clement will run either Lael Stable's Bella Castani or Patricia Generazio's Discreet Marq in the Grade 2, 1 1/16-mile Sands Point for three-year-old fillies on Memorial Day. "I will probably run one of the two," Clement said. "I have to see. They're both doing well. I will likely run one (in the Miss Liberty next Sunday at Monmouth Park) and run one here." Bella Castani won the Tweedside overnight stakes by 1 1/2 lengths on April 27 at Belmont, while Discreet Marq is coming out of a second-place finish in the Sweetest Chant in January at Gulfstream Park. "She was very rank," said Clement of Bella Castani's performance in the Tweedside. "Mentally, she needs to settle, but she was impressive. When we asked her to run, she quickened. "Discreet Marq hasn't run since January," he added. "It would be a little bit ambitious first time back." Barclay Tagg's pair of Caroline Thomas and Unbelievable Dream, and the Chad Brown duo of Watsdachances and Wave Theory, are expected to contest the Sands Point. Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
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