Wicked Strong to try blinkers for Jim Dandy Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – In an attempt to change Wicked Strong’s luck, trainer Jimmy Jerkens will change equipment, putting blinkers on the 3-year-old colt for next Saturday’s Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga.

On Saturday, Wicked Strong worked in blinkers for the first time, breezing six furlongs in 1:13.06 over Saratoga’s main track. Though exercise rider Kelvin Pahal was asking Wicked Strong to finish from the eighth pole to the wire, Wicked Strong proceeded to gallop out a solid six furlongs in 1:26.09 and seven furlongs in 1:39.21.

Jerkens, who noted Wicked Strong has been galloping in blinkers, said he couldn’t tell if the blinkers made a difference “because he always works good, but it might make a difference when he runs. We’ll try them.”

Since winning the Grade 1 Wood Memorial, Wicked Strong finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby and fourth in the Belmont Stakes, dead-heating with California Chrome in the latter. Jerkens felt Wicked Strong inexplicably came off the bridle down the backside in the Belmont Stakes.

“He ran kind of erratic, I thought,” Jerkens said. “It’s worth a try. I don’t see a downside to putting them on. I don’t think it’s going to make him too rank. I don’t want them to make him too rank. He didn’t act like he was pulling the rider any more with them than without them earlier.”

Wicked Strong was one of four candidates for the Jim Dandy who worked Saturday morning at Saratoga.

Tonalist, the Belmont Stakes winner, worked five furlongs in 1:01.66 over the Oklahoma training track. As usual, he worked in company with Life in Shambles. Tonalist began a length in front of Life in Shambles and went his first quarter in 24.65 seconds and from the quarter to the wire in 23.88 with Life in Shambles coming to him at the wire. The two went an additional furlong in 13.16.

Tonalist then continued to gallop out six furlongs in 1:14.84.

“They look well, look sound, solid work,” trainer Cristophe Clement said of his two 3-year-olds, adding Tonalist “had a fair blow, which is normal. The further they went, the better he looked, I thought. I thought he looked very good in the gallop out. I really did.”

Life in Shambles is pointing to the Curlin Stakes the day before the Jim Dandy. Clement said he wanted Rosario to work the horse to let the rider know the horse doesn’t have to be in front.

“Every time he rode him, he’s always been on the pace,” Clement said. “It was nice for him to see that the horse can work as well from off the pace.”

Samraat, sixth in the Kentucky Derby after racing last early on, worked an easy half-mile in 48.66 over the main track, breaking off at the three-furlong pole and working a furlong past the wire. Samraat had a strong mile work at Aqueduct last Sunday.

“He didn’t have to do much,” trainer Rick Violette said. “His mile last week was just spectacular. All he needed to do was stretch his legs, get something done over the racetrack, and come out of it okay. He likes to train. He likes his job.”

Legend, second to Kid Cruz as the favorite in the Easy Goer Stakes on Belmont Day, worked five furlongs in 1:02.27, over the Oklahoma training track, making up a length on workmate Momentary Magic. Though Legend is eligible for Friday’s Curlin Stakes, trainer Jimmy Bond wants to take on the major division players in the Jim Dandy.

“Personally, I think he’s ready for it,” Bond said. “He’s been training very forwardly. He’s always had to get on a truck and go down the road. Now, they have to come to his territory.”

Ulanbator, third in the Dwyer, is definite for the Jim Dandy. Kid Cruz and Candy Boy are possible.

Expected to join Life in Shambles in the Curlin are Kentucky Derby runner-up Commanding Curve, Cousin Stephen, Prontico, and Viva Majorca.
Commanding Curve worked five furlongs in 1:00.72, pulling away late by a length over last year’s Derby runner-up, Golden Soul.