Commanding Curve favors Curlin start over Jim Dandy
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The connections of Kentucky Derby runner-up Commanding Curve hope to take the path of least resistance to the $1.25 million Travers Stakes on Aug. 23 by running in Friday’s $100,000 Curlin Stakes instead of Saturday’s Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy at Saratoga.
Commanding Curve was one of 10 horses entered Monday in the Curlin, which is restricted to horses who have not won a graded stakes over a mile this year. The Curlin, like the Jim Dandy, is run at 1 1/8 miles.
By running in the Curlin, Commanding Curve will avoid facing Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist and Wood Memorial winner Wicked Strong in Saturday’s Jim Dandy.
“They’re two very legitimate horses,” said Terry Finley, president of West Point Thoroughbreds, which owns Commanding Curve. “They’ve got a shot to make a mark for the rest of the year, and the thought is if you’re going to beat those horses or run really well against those horses, you’re going to have to really lay it on the line. Certainly, everybody is talking about their goal being the Travers, and we’re no different.”
Commanding Curve would be permitted to enter the Jim Dandy on Wednesday, but it would cost $4,500. Barring a major defection by the time of the Jim Dandy draw, Finley didn’t anticipate entering that race.
Finley said another consideration to running in the Curlin is the likelihood of a more realistic pace than in the Jim Dandy. Commanding Curve does his best running from off the pace.
Curlin entrants such as Life in Shambles, Cousin Stephen, Tiz’naz, and Protonico have ample speed.
“I think there’s more pace in the Curlin, and I think that’s one of the things we looked at,” Finley said.
Others entered in the Curlin were Charge Now, Joint Custody, Spot, V. E. Day, and Viva Majorca.