Saratoga: Bold Warrior targets Smarty Jones at Parx

Bold Warrior, who finished last in the Curlin Stakes in his first attempt around two turns, will be given a chance to redeem himself in a route race when he starts in Monday’s $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes going 1 1/16 miles at Parx Racing.

Alan Garcia will ride Bold Warrior because Jose Lezcano, his regular rider, is committed to ride in the Hopeful.

On Wednesday, Garcia guided Bold Warrior through a seven-furlong workout in 1:27.06, going his opening half-mile in 49.10 seconds and his last three-eighths in 37.56 seconds. He galloped out a mile in 1:41.43.

Bold Warrior worked in a Sure Win bit, one designed to give a rider bit more control.

Trainer Allen Jerkens didn’t have a plausible excuse for Bold Warrior’s surprisingly poor performance in the Curlin Stakes, but did say the colt acted up in the gate, something he had never before done.

“He was all over the place in the gate,’’ Jerkens said. “First time in front of a crowd. All his other races were at Belmont, where they don’t hear anything.’’

Bold Warrior is a product of champions Bernardini and Hollywood Wildcat, both of whom had success around two turns. Jerkens said he thinks Bold Warrior can get the 1 1/16 miles of the Smarty Jones.

“I think he’ll go that far for sure,’’ Jerkens said.