Mystic Guide dons shades for Jim Dandy
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Mystic Guide, the beaten favorite in the Grade 3 Peter Pan Stakes, will get the addition of blinkers when he looks to make amends in Saturday’s Grade 2, $150,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga.
Mystic Guide, a son of Ghostzapper owned by Godolphin Racing and trained by Michael Stidham, was as far back as 11 lengths off the pace in the Peter Pan. He rallied to be third, 3 1/2 lengths behind winner Country Grammer.
“Down the backside I said to myself, we can’t win from there, we were so far back,” Stidham said. “Every time he tried to get him to advance, he wasn’t wanting to run into the dirt. It wasn’t until he got him out turning for home that he started picking up horses.”
Stidham said he has worked Mystic Guide behind horses at the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland and likes what he’s seen.
“He’s been finishing better,” Stidham said. “He’s there more for the rider when you ask him. I’m hoping the blinkers put him a little more forward and that he still has his kick.”
Jose Ortiz will ride Mystic Guide, who drew post 7.
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Inside of him, from the rail out, are Happy Saver, Liveyourbeastlife, First Line, Jesus’ Team, Celtic Striker, and Dr Post.
The Jim Dandy, run at 1 1/8 miles, could be used as a stepping-stone to the Preakness on Oct. 3 at Pimlico.