Done Deal set for graded debut in Vanderbilt

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Ian Wilkes said he doesn’t know how good Done Deal could be. He’s about to find out when he runs him in Saturday’s Grade 1, $350,000 Vanderbilt Handicap Saturday at Saratoga.

Done Deal drew the outside post in a seven-horse field that includes top sprinters Imperial Hint, Petrov, and Switzerland.

Done Deal has won his last four races, a streak that dates back to July 2016. Since coming back from a knee injury and a second issue that sidelined him for 20 months, Done Deal dead-heated for a win on turf at Churchill Downs and then rolled to a four-length victory in the Iowa Sprint Handicap on July 6.

“I know he’s good, but I don’t know how good,” Wilkes said Wednesday. “He’s just getting better and better.”

Done Deal has breezed once at Saratoga, a five-furlong move in 59.06 seconds in company with the 3-year-old Bourbon Resolution. Bourbon Resolution was scheduled to run in Friday’s Curlin Stakes, but came out of that work with a fractured sesamoid and he will undergo surgery likely next week.

Chris Landeros will ride Done Deal in the Vanderbilt.

From the rail out, the Vanderbilt field is: Switzerland, Petrov, Warrior’s Club, Imperial Hint, Sweetontheladies, Mr. Crow, and Done Deal.