Palace Malice eyes Whitney Invitational

ELMONT, N.Y. – After Palace Malice won the Belmont Stakes last year, he went to Saratoga and ran twice, winning the Jim Dandy Stakes and finishing a troubled fourth, beaten less than a length, in the Travers Stakes.

After winning the Grade 1 Met Mile on Saturday for his fourth victory in as many starts this year, Palace Malice will again be pointed to Saratoga, where he will run next in the $1.5 million Whitney Invitational on Aug. 2.

Trainer Todd Pletcher said that after speaking with Cot Campbell, president of Dogwood Stable, which owns Palace Malice, “Our initial intention is that the Whitney is next.”

Also at Saratoga is the $600,000 Woodward on Aug. 30. Both races are at 1 1/8 miles.

Palace Malice, who overcame the rail post and the highweight of 124 pounds to win the Met Mile by a length over Goldencents, earned a 111 Beyer Speed Figure for the performance.