Tonalist vs. Wicked Strong a Dandy matchup
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – As of Thursday afternoon, it remained unclear if all seven horses entered in Saturday’s Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga would run. However, this much is known: Tonalist and Wicked Strong are running, and the race centers around them.
Tonalist will be making his first start since his 9-1 upset victory in the Belmont Stakes. Wicked Strong, the Grade 1 Wood Memorial winner, also will be making his first start since the Belmont, where he finished in a dead heat for fourth with Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome.
The Jim Dandy, run at 1 1/8 miles, is the local prep for the $1.25 million Travers on Aug. 23. The Jim Dandy has produced the Travers winner in seven of the last nine years.
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Five others were entered in the Jim Dandy, including Cousin Stephen and Commanding Curve, the Kentucky Derby runner-up, both of whom were also entered in Friday’s $100,000 Curlin Stakes. Where Cousin Stephen runs is important because he could be the primary speed in the Jim Dandy. Kid Cruz, the Dwyer Stakes winner, is 60-40 to run in the Jim Dandy, trainer Linda Rice said Thursday, with next week’s West Virginia Derby as Plan B. Legend and Ulanbator complete the field.
Tonalist’s accomplishments and versatility give him an edge in the Jim Dandy. He has won three of his last four starts, including two at 1 1/8 miles off layoffs of 11 weeks and nine weeks.
“I think he’s a nice horse,” said Christophe Clement, who trains Tonalist for Robert Evans. “They overcome that kind of thing. The training is not the excuse; he’s got plenty of training going into that race. It’s up to him now.”
Tonalist won the Grade 2 Peter Pan in front-running fashion and the Belmont from a stalking position. So, it makes little difference to Clement whether there is pace in the Jim Dandy.
“I think I’m going to leave it up to Joel,” Clement said, referring to jockey Joel Rosario. “Don’t send him, don’t fight him, let him run his race.”
Jimmy Jerkens is hoping Wicked Strong can run a better race in the Jim Dandy than he did in the Belmont, when he lost position down the backside. To that end, Jerkens is equipping Wicked Strong with blinkers for the first time in a race. He has been training in blinkers for the last few weeks, and on Thursday, he blew out an untimed quarter-mile through the lane over the Oklahoma training track.
“He might stay a little straighter,” Jerkens said when asked if the blinkers have helped Wicked Strong in his training. “A lot of times, he goes with his head low and cocked to the outside a little bit. He seems to be a little more collected.”
Kelvin Pahal, Wicked Strong’s exercise rider, said the horse is “more focused.”
“He does everything right with the blinkers,” Pahal said.
Legend is a bit interesting at a potential price. He finished second to Kid Cruz as the favorite in the Dwyer Stakes. His trainer, James Bond, believes he fits with these horses, which is why he skipped Friday’s Curlin to run in here.
“I take nothing away from the Belmont winner and the Wood winner – they’re all great horses – but perhaps the best horse is running in the Haskell, and she’s a filly,” said Bond, referring to Untapable.
KEY CONTENDERS
Tonalist (Last 3 Beyers 100-103-92)
◗ In the last 15 years, only four Belmont Stakes winners have run in the Jim Dandy. Lemon Drop Kid (1999) and Palace Malice (2013) won the Jim Dandy. Empire Maker (2003) was beaten a nose, and Da’ Tara (2008) was seventh.
◗ Tonalist comes into this race off a seven-week layoff. He won a maiden race off a nine-week layoff and the Grade 2 Peter Pan off an 11-week layoff. Both races were at 1 1/8 miles.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 4 Tonalist. Trainer Christophe Clement is 6 for 22 with a $2.99 ROI over the past five years in dirt routes on the NYRA circuit following a winning effort. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Wicked Strong (Last 3 Beyers 98-99-104)
◗ Won the Wood Memorial and finished third, beaten a half-length, in the Grade 2 Remsen in his only starts at 1 1/8 miles.
◗ Trainer Jerkens is 6 for 59 over the last five years when putting blinkers on a horse for the first time.
◗ Jerkens is 1 for 10 in graded stakes at Saratoga. The win came in the Travers Stakes with Afleet Express, who finished a good third in the Jim Dandy.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 7 Wicked Strong. Trainer Jimmy Jerkens is 8 for 24 with a $4.84 ROI over the past five years on the NYRA circuit in dirt routes with purses of at least $60,000. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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Legend (Last 3 Beyers 91-97-82)
◗ Trainer Bond felt that Legend had the worst of the trips when second to Kid Cruz in the Dwyer. “He’s doing everything right,” Bond said. “This is his home base. He’s got a lot of positives for me, and he’s got class.”
◗ Son of Tiznow gets to run without shipping for the first time in his six career starts.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 6 Commanding Curve. Trainer Dallas Stewart is 0 for 28 over the past five years in route races at Saratoga. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
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