Pletcher Sets Belmont Mark

With four days left in Belmont Park’s spring-summer meet, Todd Pletcher has not only clinched the training title, he has also set a record for wins.

Pletcher, who is in the top 10 nationally in wins and earnings, had three victories Wednesday to surpass the record of 36 victories set by Pancho Martin 21 years ago.

A former assistant to Wayne Lukas, Pletcher picked up his 35th win when Brighton Ridge ($7.20) won the fourth race under Jerry Bailey, then he followed with favored Ella Bella in the fifth and broke the mark when 5-1 shot Zawzooth upset Forest Heiress in the $65,000 My Juliet Stakes.

This afternoon, Pletcher will try to add to his total when he sends out Pick’em in the seventh, a $45,000 allowance at six furlongs, and Boston Bull in the eighth, a $47,000 allowance at the same distance.

Owned by Starlight Stable and Barbara Kurtin, Pick’em was second at 9-10 and 2-1 in his first two starts at Saratoga last summer but dominated nine rivals when breaking his maiden in his comeback on June 15.

A 3-year-old son of Boston Harbor, Boston Bull will be making his first start since he was the beaten favorite in the Nashua, a Grade III, last Nov. 2 at Aqueduct. Both horses will be ridden by John Velasquez, who has a big lead in the Belmont jockey standings.

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Race of the day: Lucky Pulpit, second to the promising Flushing Meadows on June 22, will try the turf for the first time in today’s third at Hollywood Park. Eight others entered the 5 1/2-furlong contest for 2-year-old maidens. A son of Pulpit owned by Mr. and Mrs. Larry Williams and trained by Cliff Sise Jr., Lucky Pulpit will be ridden by Tyler Baze.

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One for the road: Ajedrez, a 4-year-old bred in Argentina, should win right back for high-percentage trainer Wayne Catalano in today’s eighth, a $34,000 allowance at one mile, at Arlington Park. A winner of one of six in his native country, Ajedrez won by 4 1/2 lengths going seven furlongs in his U.S. debut June 29.

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Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Solar Fire in the first, Devlish in the second and using Lucky Pulpit, Minister Eric, Native Approval and Dinner At Ago’s in the third.

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Winners: Previous day/meet total: 4/170. Money: Previous day/meet total: $19.80/$904.40. Total money bet: $1,052.