Saratoga: Tizway looks strong in work for Whitney

Metropolitan Handicap winner Tizway completed preparations for his start in Saturday’s Grade 1 Whitney Invitational Handicap by working five furlongs in 1:00.34 over the Oklahoma training track Friday morning.

Under exercise rider Andreas Catalan, Tizway went in splits of 12.84 seconds, 24.76, 36.52, and got his last quarter in 23.88 seconds. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.54.

Tizway picked up some planned company a quarter-mile into the work as stablemate Nine O Wonderful joined in and helped carry Tizway to the wire. Trainer James Bond said he did a similar thing prior to Tizway’s victory in the Met Mile.

“Keep him honest,’’ Bond said about having the company for Tizway. “I don’t want any question marks. There’s only one Whitney. It worked pretty good last time.’’

The big question handicappers will have regarding Tizway entering the Whitney is whether he can get 1 1/8 miles against top-class competition. Bond doesn’t have that question.

“I think he’ll run all day, I really do,’’ Bond said. “With his style, tactically, he can do a lot. He doesn’t need a pace, he can do his own thing.’’