Litfin's preview: Jim Dandy rematches two top 3-year-olds
Tonalist, Wicked Strong meet again in Jim Dandy
Tonalist and Wicked Strong, who were less than two lengths apart when first and fourth in the Belmont Stakes, clash again in Saturday’s Jim Dandy, the traditional local prep race for the Travers on Aug. 23.
There isn’t much early speed in the race after Cousin Stephen opted to run in Friday’s Curlin, so Tonalist could wind up on the lead, much the same way he seized control of the Peter Pan in early May.
In four starts wearing blinkers, the only horse to beat Tonalist is Constitution, who subsequently won the Florida Derby and remains undefeated after three starts.
Wicked Strong will add blinkers for the Jim Dandy, as Jimmy Jerkens hopes they will improve the colt’s focus after idling through the middle stages of the Belmont.
The lack of pace could hurt the chances of Kid Cruz, a stretch-running type who has won four stakes since claimed from a $50,000 maiden race last fall, and Linda Rice has raised the possibility of awaiting next week’s West Virginia Derby.
Rock Fall will scratch from Amsterdam
As reported by colleague David Grening, 2-1 morning-line favorite Rock Fall will scratch out of the Amsterdam.
The absence of Rock Fall removes considerable early speed from this 6 ½- furlong sprint for 3-year-olds, which serves as a prep for the King’s Bishop on Aug. 23. The changed pace complexion figures to help Captain Serious, who may wind up vying for favoritism with Bay Shore winner Coup de Grace.
Coup de Grace, who comes off a last-to-first score in the Oh Say Stakes at Delaware Park off a trainer change to Larry Jones, will need Tiznowforamerica to contest the lead with Captain Serious. Coup de Grace has won 4 of 5 sprints, the only loss behind Haskell-bound Bayern in the Woody Stephens when sixth, but beaten less than a length for second.
The Amsterdam is race 8, and the first leg of a late pick four with a $500,000 guaranteed pool.
Highly touted juveniles debut
Aldrin and Competitive Edge, two of the more highly touted juveniles, are entered in race 3, a potentially “loaded” maiden special weight at six furlongs.
Aldrin, who sold for $1 million at Keeneland in April after working an eighth of a mile in 9.4 seconds, is a half-brother to Tapit, a Wood Memorial winner who is now among the nation’s most sought-after stallions. He has posted a series of sharp workouts at Belmont for Chad Brown.
Competitive Edge, who hammered for $750,000 at the Fasig-Tipton March sale after working a furlong in 10 seconds flat, is also-eligible, as 2-year-old dirt races at Saratoga are limited to eight starters. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt by Super Saver has been training forwardly at the Spa since early June.
Horse to watch
Why Not Whiskey
Trainer: Bruce Brown
Last race: July 24, 7th
Finish: 3rd by 2 1/4
Beyer: 79
Broke slowest and was last of 12 early, gradually gathered momentum into the stretch and encountered heavy traffic in the vicinity of the sixteenth pole; deep closer won his second start of the 2013 Saratoga meet at 8-1.