Belmont Oaks Contender Plum Ali Leads Clement Turf Workers

ELMONT, NY – Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, and Michael Caruso’s Plum Ali worked in company with fellow Christophe Clement trainee Mutamakina on the inner turf Monday at Belmont.

“It was a nice maintenance work. They both worked well and finished well,” said Clement. “One will go to the River Memories and the other will go to the Oaks. They were the best workers of my barn this morning.”

Plum Ali, runner-up last out in the 9-furlong Wonder Again (G3), is pointed to Saturday’s $700,000 Belmont Oaks Invitational, the first leg of the Turf Triple series for sophomore fillies.

Al Shira’aa Farms’ Mutamakina will be part of a strong one-two punch for Clement along with R Unicorn Stable’s Call Me Love, who worked a 1/2-mile solo Monday on the inner turf in preparation for Sunday’s 12-furlong $150,000 River Memories on the Widener turf for older fillies and mares.

Call Me Love, a 5-year-old Sea The Stars chestnut, won a 1 1/16-mile optional claiming event last out on May 23 on firm Belmont turf.

Call Me Love was winless in 5 starts against graded company last year, completing the exacta in the 1 1/16-mile Beaugay (G3) at Belmont and the 1 1/16-mile Ballston Spa at Saratoga.

Clement said he was pleased with the easy 1/2-mile breeze.

“It was easy by design,” said Clement. “She’s very fit. We let her stretch her legs a little bit.”