Psychoanalyze prepared to cope with rail in Sanford Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Being the consummate horseman he is, Brian Lynch wants to make sure he has all bases covered when he sends out Psychoanalyze as one of the choices Saturday at Saratoga in the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes. That is why Psychoanalyze breezed three furlongs from the starting gate just five days prior to the race.

Psychoanalyze, who breaks from the rail, is one of eight juveniles entered for the six-furlong Sanford, the first of three graded stakes for 2-year-olds here this summer, culminating with the Grade 1 Hopeful on closing day, Sept. 4.

“I popped him out of the gate the other morning just in case we did draw down on the inside so he leaves there running,” said Lynch. “He’s a gutsy little dude. He showed it in his first start when he got pinned down on the inside. He battled on very gamely, so if he ends up in the same scenario, I think he’ll show the same intensity again.”

Psychoanalyze contested all the pace before emerging with a well-deserved three-quarter-length decision in his only start, going 5 1/2 furlongs at Belmont Park on June 14.

Trainers Todd Pletcher and Steve Asmussen will counter Psychoanalyze with a pair of starters each. Pletcher sends out Bal Harbour and Admiral Jimmy in quest of a record seventh Sanford win. Asmussen runs Baffin, an easy debut winner at Churchill Downs, and Direct Dial, who finished second after disputing the early pace in the Tremont.

Admiral Jimmy was third in the June 9 Tremont at Belmont in his last start. Pletcher said Admiral Jimmy had an adverse reaction to getting dirt kicked in his face when behind horses in the Tremont.

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“He climbed for a while,” Pletcher said. “It took a little while for him to settle in. I thought he finally leveled off late and put together a pretty good run the last sixteenth of a mile.”

Free Drop Billy likely would benefit if a speed duel develops, having won his only start by rallying from near the rear of the field June 15 at Churchill Downs.

Completing the field are the New Jersey invader Firenze Fire and Nauti Buoy, who won on turf in his only start.

Key Contenders

Psychoanalyze, by Overanalyze

Beyer: 76

◗ He owns the highest Beyer Speed Figure in the field, and Lynch said he believes he’ll “enjoy the added distance” on Saturday.

Admiral Jimmy, by Jimmy Creed

Beyer: 70

◗ Pletcher said he’s hoping the experience last time will help put him “in a little more prominent position” early in the Sanford.

Baffin, by Justin Phillip

Beyer: 68

◗ Asmussen said the colt is “brilliantly quick” but is concerned that he’s had only one start because he believes the racetrack might be “a little loose” opening week.

Direct Dial, by Too Much Bling

Beyer: 70

◗ Asmussen said he felt the track condition played against his horse’s style in the Tremont.