Centennial Farms’ Convocation, second in last year’s Westchester, will return for another shot in Saturday’s
82nd renewal of the race, said trainer Jimmy Jerkens.
A troubled third in his 2011 debut, when he checked sharply
at the sixteenth pole to finish less than two lengths behind longshot El
Kingdom at Gulfstream Park on March 27, Convocation had his first work at Belmont Park on Tuesday, covering five furlongs
in 1:00.08.
“That was a good comeback race,” said Jerkens of the
one-mile optional claimer. “He would have won it, but he got in a lot of
trouble.”
The 5-year-old son of Pulpit, who is 3-5-1 from 13 starts
with earnings of $306,345, is still seeking his first stakes win. At age 3, he
was second and fifth behind Kensei in the Grade 2 Dwyer and the Grade 2 Jim
Dandy, respectively. Last year was fourth to Quality Road in both the Grade 1 Met Mile
and the Grade 1 Woodward and second to Haynesfield in the Grade 2 Suburban in
addition to his runner-up finish behind Le Grand Cru in the Westchester.
“He’s doing well,” said Jerkens of Convocation, adding that
Alan Garcia will be aboard for the Westchester.