Palace Malice makes strong impression in Sunday work

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – It was a typically busy Sunday morning at Saratoga, and also typically, Palace Malice made the strongest impression, working a very strong five furlongs in preparation for the Grade 1, $1.5 million Whitney Handicap Invitational on Aug. 2.

With his regular rider, John Velazquez in the irons, Palace Malice worked five furlongs in 1:00.59 in company with the 3-year-old maiden March Too. Palace Malice began about three lengths back and went his first three furlongs in 36.68 seconds, and he powered home his final quarter in 23.91. Palace Malice galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.68, seven furlongs in 1:27.86, and pulled up a mile in 1:41.67.

“Thought he worked super,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “He’s maintaining form. He seems to have done well since the Met [Mile], training well over the track. He’s in great condition, so we’re happy.”

Palace Malice will be seeking his fifth win in as many starts in 2014 when he runs in the Whitney. Palace Malice has already won the Gulfstream Park Handicap, New Orleans Handicap, the Westchester, and the Met Mile.

Palace Malice is expected to meet Travers 1-2 finishers Will Take Charge and Moreno in the Whitney, as well as Departing, Romansh, and perhaps Zivo.

Pletcher also was happy with the way Unlimited Budget breezed and declared her a starter for next Sunday’s Shuvee Handicap.

In other notable works, La Verdad worked four furlongs in 47.01, the fastest of 97 moves at the distance over the Saratoga main track. The four-time stakes-winning New York-bred filly is pointing to the Grade 2 Honorable Miss here July 28.

Kid Cruz, the Dwyer winner, worked five furlongs in 1:03.56 and is likely to run in the Jim Dandy, according to trainer Linda Rice, who said she also could wait for the West Virginia Derby the following week.

“We’ll see how comes out of the work, see if he needs more time,” Rice said.

On the Oklahoma turf, Real Solution and Big Blue Kitten worked five furlongs together in 1:00.64. Real Solution will be seeking a repeat victory in the Grade 1 Arlington Million on Aug. 16, while Big Blue Kitten will seek a repeat victory in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer the following day.

Also working on the turf were Pianist and Dayatthespa, who went together in 1:00.12 Both of them could be candidates for the De La Rose Stakes on Aug. 2.