Jim Dandy and Diana Top Huge Weekend At Saratoga

Sensational Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Palace Malice seems all set to make his first start since that fine triumph in the $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds, a premier prep for the $1 million G1 Travers on August 24, at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the sophomore son of Curlin was a nice second in the Bluegrass S. (G1) this spring, and after running off early with blinkers on in the Kentucky Derby, the superb sophomore put it all together last time in a mostly facile triumph. The three-year-old colt also has proven capable here from last season at the Spa. 

The Todd Pletcher-trained colt faces nine challengers in the 1 1/8-mile event and Hall of Famer Mike Smith retains the mount.

Mylute skipped the Belmont following respectable efforts in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, rallying for fifth in the Derby and third in the Preakness. A confirmed late runner for Tom Amoss, the gray colt just missed when recording a neck second in the Louisiana Derby and has posted BRIS Speed ratings of 105-107-110 in his last three respective starts. Rosie Napravnik guides the son of Midnight Lute.

Will Take Charge is another Triple Crown veteran. He posted unplaced finishes in all three races, but the well-bred chestnut displayed nice class when capturing the Rebel and Smarty Jones at Oaklawn Park earlier this year and remains a candidate to run well here for D. Wayne Lukas. Junior Alvarado takes over the reins. Code West enters on the upswing for Bob Baffert, registering a 6 3/4-length allowance tally prior to a head win in the Grade 3 Matt Winn on June 15, and the late-blooming colt will pick up the services of Joel Rosario. 

Other contenders include Moreno, a seven-length winner of the July 6 Dwyer at Belmont Park; Freedom Child, who romped by 13 lengths in the Peter Pan two starts back; and Looking Cool and Bashaar, the respective first- and third-place finishers from the recent Iowa Derby.

On paper, Perfect Title will be the least accomplished horse in the starting gate, but that is of little concern to trainer Dallas Stewart. The colt will be making his stakes debut following an eye-catching allowance victory over older horses at Churchill Downs.

"Did y'all see his last race?" Stewart said when asked about his colt's chances. "I know we're trying the big time here, but he's bred for it. He won as easy as a horse can win going a mile and an eighth. I was like, 'You know what? Why not.' I'm telling you, this son of a (gun) can run."

Also on Saturday is the $600,000 Diana Stakes (G1), which is set to attract some of the better turf distaffers in the region. 2012 Matriarch Handicap (G1) queen Better Lucky was a fine second in the Just A Game Stakes (G1) most recently and could be a big presence in this field for conditioner Tom Albertrani. The four-year-old Ghostzapper filly has run big on this oval in the past but is a better animal now nearing her peak, and she has trained steadily leading up to this affair.

Jenny Wiley (G1) queen Centre Court was fourth on the yielding going in the Just A Game while favored, but she is tons better than she showed on that day, and her easy win two back at Keeneland is a better indication of how good she can be for Rusty Arnold. Grade 1 heroine Dayatthespa, who was upset when second at Monmouth most recently, is perfect from two tries at The Spa and should be up front from the opening bell for Chad Brown. Group 2 queen Dream Peace, recent New York H. (G2) winner Starformer and champion Stephanie’s Kitten, a fine winner of the Just A Game S. (G1) last out, add to the incredible depth of this field.

The once-beaten Midnight Lucky, who dominated her foes with a 6 ¾-length romp in the Acorn S. (G1) most recently, looks like the main danger in the $300,000 Prioress S. (G1). Trained by Bob Baffert, the sensational daughter of Midnight Lute has a ton of speed and may find the cut back to six furlong just fine and a nice prep for the Test (G1) at seven later in the meeting.

Her main foe looks to be the speedy Kauai Katie, who is six for eight lifetime, with both losses coming at a mile or beyond. The Pletcher pupil has been superb in a pair of easy wins on this oval in her career and might be the one to catch with her best. So Many Ways, who won a pair of graded races here last summer, Jostle S. queen Lighthouse Bay and the top pair from the Victory Ride S. (G1); Baby J and Bridgehmapton, are also likely for this dash.

Saratoga Race Course 2013 Summer Wagering

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will present a $500,000 Guaranteed Late Pick 4 every Saturday at Saratoga Race Course and a $1 Million All Graded Stakes Pick 4 on Travers Day, August 24.

Although NYRA offers daily Pick 4’s on races 2 - 5 and the final four races of the day, the $500,000 guarantee applies only to the Late Pick 4 on Saturdays at Saratoga Race Course. The Late Pick 4 is a 50 cent minimum wager in which the bettor must correctly pick the winners of the last four races on the card, usually beginning with race eight.

On Travers Day, August 24, the guarantee will rise to $1 million in conjunction with the 144th running of the Grade 1, $1 million Travers Stakes. The Travers is supported by three additional graded events: the $500,000 Grade 1 Test, the $500,000 Grade 1 Foxwoods King’s Bishop, and the $250,000 Grade 2 Ballston Spa. The Late Pick 4 is scheduled to begin with Race 9 on Travers Day.

Handicapping Saratoga with Brisnet.com

NBC and NYRA to Host “Summer at Saratoga” Series

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) and the NBC Sports Group have announced the schedule for this year's "Summer at Saratoga" series, with five live broadcasts from Saratoga, starting on August 11 and running through September 1, and including such marquee races as the Alabama, Travers and Woodward.

Last year's NBC Sports Group coverage of the Saratoga meet marked the most extensive live national broadcast presence ever of racing from the prestigious track, and following the meet, NYRA and the NBC Sports Group announced a two-year extension for "Summer at Saratoga," which will bring live national coverage of the Saratoga meet through 2013.

The schedule for the NBC Sports Group's live coverage of the 2013 Saratoga meet is as follows (all times Eastern):

• July 27:  Grade 1, $600,000 Diana and Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy (5-6pm on NBC Sports Network)
• August 3: Grade 1, $750,000 Whitney Invitational Handicap (5-6pm on NBC)
• August 10: Grade 2, $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap (5-6pm on NBC)
• August 11: Grade 2, $200,000 Adirondack and Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special (5-6pm on NBC Sports Network)
• August 17: Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama and Grade 1, $600,000 Sword Dancer Invitational (5-6pm on NBC Sports Network)
• August 24: Grade 1, $500,000 Foxwoods King’s Bishop and Grade 1, $1 million Travers (4:30-6pm on NBC)
• August 31:  Grade 2, $250,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap, G1 $500,000 Forego and Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward (4-6pm on NBC Sports Network)

Past Jim Dandy Winners