Field of eight entered for Grade 1 Whitney

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Several last minute additions to the lineup swelled the field to eight horses when entries were drawn Tuesday for Saturday’s $1 million, Grade 1 Whitney at Saratoga. Joining leading contenders McKinzie, Preservationist, Thunder Snow, Vino Rosso, and Yoshida for the nine-furlong Whitney were outsiders Imperative, Forewearned, and Monongahela.

The proceedings for the Whitney draw ended a bit prematurely due to a severe storm that struck, which including torrential downpours, lightning, and a little hail just for good measure.

McKinzie has been installed the 7-5 morning line favorite with Preservationist next in line at 3-1.

Trainer Jimmy Jerkens was among those who missed the draw due to the storm. He was not overly enthused to learn, upon his arrival, that his Preservationist, a convincing 4 1/2-length winner of the Grade 2 Suburban earlier this month at Belmont Park, had drawn the extreme outside for the Whitney.

“I would have like to have been closer to the inside,” said Jerkens. “It’s always good to save a little ground and not have to pull your horse up to do it. But it shouldn’t be too big an issue. He’s been good about everything and Junior [Alvarado] has been riding great. He should be able to maneuver him into a nice spot.”

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Jerkens said all has gone well with Preservationist since the Suburban.

“He’s trained good, he looks good,” said Jerkens. “I might blow him out a little bit Thursday or Friday. It depends on the track and a few other things. But we’re happy with him.”

The field, from the rail out for the Whitney, consists of Imperative, Forewarned, Monongahela, Thunder Snow, Vino Rosso, McKinzie, Yoshida, and Preservationist.

Trainer Todd Pletcher will send out Vino Rosso, who has been idle since winning the Grade 1 Gold Cup at Santa Anita on May 27.

"He's been training great. I think he's a much better 4-year-old than he was a 3-year-old,” Pletcher said. “He's much more consistent in the mornings in training and I think the nine-furlong distance is ideal for him if there's an honest pace.”

The Whitney is one of five stakes races on Saturday’s card and is a Win and You’re In race for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The Whitney will be broadcast live on NBC with post time scheduled for 5:49 p.m.