Convocation, runner-up in the Grade 3 Westchester on
Opening Day at Belmont Park,
drilled a half-mile in a bullet 48.02 on the training track Thursday morning in
preparation for Monday’s 118th running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Metropolitan
Handicap.
The move was the fastest of 22 works at the distance.
“I wouldn’t have minded if he’d gone a couple of ticks
faster, but I was satisfied with it,” said trainer Jimmy Jerkens. “He’s ready
to run.”
A five-length allowance winner in his only other start this
year, the 4-year-old Pulpit colt will be facing a serious field in the Met
Mile, headed by Quality Road, impressive winner of the Donn Handicap in
his most recent start. Also being pointed to the Met Mile are Grade 1 Carter
winner Warrior’s Reward, Westchester winner Le Grand Cru and
fourth-place finisher Honest Man, 2009 Dwyer and Jim Dandy winner Kensei
and Grade
1 Gulfstream Park Handicap victor You and I Forever.
Warrior’s Reward was scheduled to arrive at Belmont Park from Kentucky
late Thursday afternoon.
“He’s doing great,” said trainer Ian Wilkes of Warrior’s
Reward. “He’s had two wins and a second, so that’s hardly a season in which you
could be disappointed. Monday’s race is a tough one – it’s a Grade 1 and they
don’t just hand them out – but our challenge is to try and beat Quality Road
and the other top quality horses in there.”