Mr. Buff has final breeze for Whitney

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Shortly after Tiz the Law breezed on Saturday at Saratoga, fellow New York-bred millionaire Mr. Buff worked five furlongs in 1:01.44 in preparation for a start in next Saturday’s Grade 1, $750,000 Whitney Stakes.

Mr. Buff, under Junior Alvarado, worked in company with the 3-year-old Famished, the pair getting their last quarter in 24.17 and galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.20.

“He went off kind, Junior said his lead transitions were the best he’s ever had at any time he’s ever breezed him, like clockwork,” trainer John Kimmel said. “He said he felt great.”

Since winning the Haynesfield Stakes by 20 lengths in February at Aqueduct, Mr. Buff lost his next two starts. He finished second to Funny Guy in the Commentator Stakes for New York breds then was fifth, beaten 12 1/2 lengths by Tacitus in the Grade 2 Suburban.

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Kimmel said Mr. Buff had developed a bruised foot in between those two races and while he felt the horse was fine to run in the Suburban, he wasn’t completely over it.

“I think he was okay but I don’t think it was totally resolved when he ran in the Suburban, he just was not himself,” Kimmel said. “I don’t think it had anything to do with the competition. When the blacksmith put on the new glue-ons he found a nice big area that he carved out that looked like it was an old bruise. Ever since then he’s been a little different, happier, hitting the ground better and breezing quite well.”

Kimmel is running in the Whitney in part because there virtually are no other options. The Evan Shipman, a 1 1/8-mile race restricted to New York breds, is not scheduled this year.

Also, the Whitney appears to be coming up a short field led by Tom’s d’Etat, the Grade 2 Stephen Foster winner. By My Standards, Code of Honor, and Improbable are the other confirmed starters. Bodexpress is possible.

*Guarana, winner of the Grade 1 Madison at Keeneland on July 11, worked a half-mile in 50.03 seconds Saturday morning as she prepares for an expected start in the Grade 1 Ballerina here on Aug. 8.