Wise Dan launches comeback in Bernard Baruch Handicap
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Less than four months after laying on the operating table in Kentucky and undergoing colic surgery, Wise Dan will be in the starting gate at Saratoga to launch his much-anticipated comeback in Saturday’s $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap. The 1 1/16-mile Bernard Baruch lured a field of 10, though Lea and Red Rifle were entered for the main track only.
Wise Dan, whose only setback in his last 12 starts was a second-place finish behind Silver Max last fall in the Shadwell Turf Mile, has worked on a regular basis since arriving here in early July, starting on the turf before moving to the main track earlier this month. Trainer Charlie LoPresti had several options for Wise Dan’s return, including the Fourstardave earlier in the meet and the Woodbine Mile, races he’s won in each of the last two years.
“It’s been a little nerve-racking since we’ve been here because of the surgery and all,” LoPresti said after watching Wise Dan school in the paddock Thursday. “The biggest issue for me was making the right decision, and I think I’ve done that. We’ve got to get him started somewhere, and I really feel pretty good that this is the right place.”
LoPresti was concerned about the pace scenario for the Bernard Baruch, but he believes there is enough speed in the lineup to keep things honest in front of Wise Dan.
“I was a little concerned there would be one lone speed in there, but now there’s not,” said LoPresti. “It looks like two other horses could go, and we can capitalize on it.”
Wise Dan will carry the high weight of 127 pounds in the Bernard Baruch, a concession of eight to 13 pounds to his foes.
“Naturally, I worry about the weight and the spread back to the others,” said LoPresti. “But he is a two-time Horse of the Year, and he is undefeated this year, although I think they took into consideration the colic surgery. They could have easily put 129 on him like they did last year in the Fourstardave.”
Five Iron and Sayaad may prove to be Wise Dan’s stiffest competition in the Baruch if they can avoid a potential speed battle.
Five Iron is at his best when loose on the lead, as he was in winning the Grade 3 Fort Marcy earlier this year, but he figures to be pressed early by Sayaad or perhaps Bio Pro. Sayaad had his three-race winning streak snapped when finishing a tiring fifth in the Fourstardave.
Key contenders
Wise Dan (Last 3 Beyers: 96-101-104)
* He has improved with every successive work since arriving here earlier this summer.
“I didn’t feel I had him exactly where I wanted for the Fourstardave, but you could see the week before that race he was coming right, and I knew he had to work like that before I could think about running him,” said LoPresti.
* Has not raced in four months, but that should be no issue, as he captured the Maker’s 46 Mile in each of the last two years while returning from a five-month layoff.
Five Iron (Last 3 Beyers: 76-97-100)
* Won his only start at Saratoga, the Grade 3 Saranac, one year ago.
* Has always proven best when allowed to relax on the lead, something he was not able to do in his last start and something he may not be able to do in the Baruch.
Sayaad (Last 3 Beyers: 95-103-96)
* Distance and pace are the questions, as he has never won beyond a mile and must deal with the speed of Five Iron, who breaks directly to his inside.