Decision on Blindwillie McTell key to Cab Calloway

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Linda Rice’s decision whether to try Blindwillie McTell on grass for the first time in Wednesday’s $150,000 Cab Calloway Stakes at Saratoga should go a long way in determining both the pace scenario and final outcome of the one-mile test for 3-year-old New York-breds.

Complicating Rice’s decision even further is that she has another option the same day for Blindwillie McTell. She can ship him to Finger Lakes, where he would likely be favored in the $150,000 New York Derby at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.

As of Monday, Blindwillie McTell remained at Saratoga and Rice was still in the midst of weighing the pros and cons of both races.

“I’m leaning towards leaving him on the dirt and going to Finger Lakes, but I haven’t had a chance to really study both races completely,” Rice said. “Neither race is ideal for us, so it’s really a matter of choosing between two evils – shipping and trying that distance around two turns out there, or staying home and trying him on the grass for the first time. If I was certain he’d love it, I’d run him here. But I’m just not quite sure about how he’s going to handle the turf.”

Blindwillie McTell has never finished worse than second in five starts and exits a two-length victory over Funny Guy in the seven-furlong Mike Lee. He did work twice on the grass last month at Belmont Park and is one of two horses Rice entered in the Cab Calloway, along with Smooth Tales.

Funny Guy might have the advantage if a rematch with Blindwillie McTell does take place in the Cab Calloway. He finished second behind Rinaldi making his grass bow last month at Belmont Park in the Spectacular Bid division of the New York Stallion Series.

“He had worked really well on the grass for that turf debut, showed up, ran a great race, and he’ll get a little more distance this week, which I think should help him,” trainer John Terranova said. “The good thing about him is now we know he can go either way, turf or dirt. The only unknown factor is this will be the first time he’ll have to go two turns, but I think he’ll be fine. He’s really a kind, easy horse to ride.”

Rinaldi became a maiden winner and stakes winner all at the same time when outgaming Funny Guy to upset the Spectacular Bid in just his second start. Owned and trained by James Bond, he also will have to answer the added distance and two-turn question for the first time Wednesday.

The 10-horse Cab Calloway field also includes last-out main-track winners Dark Money and Six Percent, along with Dashing Dan, Albie, Honorable Hero, and Bettor Bank On It.