The GR II Jim Dandy, Curlin and Haskell

[TJ]

Saratoga kicks off it's first Saturday card with the GR II Jim Dandy. The three year old picture will firm up with Friday's Curlin Stakes, Saturday's Jim Dandy and Sunday's Haskell Handicap all for three year olds and attracting almost every good 3YO in training sans Orb and Normandy Invasion who is in for repairs. TJ

Curlin:
8th Race. (C9) Approx Post 4:47PM OVERNIGHT STAKES
THE CURLIN
$100,000
Purse $100,000 (Up to $19,000 NYSBFOA) One Mile And One Furlong
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS WHICH HAVE NOT WON A GRADED SWEEPSTAKES OVER A MILE IN 2013.
1 Keg Party(L) B.c.3 118 Maragh, R Monticule Reed, Eric
2a Transparent Dk B/ Br.c.3 118 Ortiz, Jr., I Darley Stable McLaughlin, Kiaran
3 Bad Hombre(L) Dk B/ Br.c.3 118 Velazquez, J Summit Thoroughbreds Kimmel, John
4 Midnight Taboo(L) Ch.c.3 116 Castellano, J Repole Stable Pletcher, Todd
5 Proud Strike(L) B.c.3 118 Santana, Jr., R McCarty, M Asmussen, Steven
6a Romansh(L) Dk B/ Br.c.3 116 Alvarado, J Darley Stable Albertrani, Thomas Blk-On
7 Cerro (IRE)(L) Ch.c.3 122 Garcia, A Team Valor International Mettee, Richard
8 Edge of Reality(L) Dk B/ Br.c.3 118 Napravnik, R The Elkstone Group Dutrow, Anthony

Jim Dandy:
10th Race. (C10) Approx Post 5:45PM STAKES
THE JIM DANDY (Grade II)
Grade II - $600,000
Purse $600,000 (Up to $58,000 NYSBFOA) One Mile And One Furlong
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS.
1 Bashaar(L) Dk B/ Br.c.3 117 Castellano, J Shadwell Stable Peitz, Daniel
2 Code West(L) Dk B/ Br.r.3 119 Rosario, J West, G & M Baffert, Bob
3 Will Take Charge(L) Ch.c.3 121 Alvarado, J Horton, W Lukas, D. Blk-Off
4 Moreno(L) B.g.3 121 Ortiz, J Southern Equine Stables Guillot, Eric
5 Palace Malice(L) B.c.3 123 Smith, M Dogwood Stable Pletcher, Todd
6 Perfect Title(L) B.c.3 117 Bridgmohan, S Fipke, C Stewart, Dallas
7 Freedom Child(L) Ch.r.3 121 Saez, L West Point Thoroughbreds Albertrani, Thomas
8 Mylute(L) Gr/ro.c.3 117 Napravnik, R Goldmark Farm Amoss, Thomas
9 Looking Cool(L) Dk B/ Br.c.3 119 Prado, E Tafel, J B Nafzger, Carl
10 Vyjack(L) B.g.3 121 Velazquez, J Pick Six Racing (D Wilkenfeld, Rodriguez, Rudy
http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_viewe ... 2013-07-27

The Haskell:
Currently entries are not posted. The field is expected to be short, but qualified, probable's include:
Verrazano
Oxbow
Power Broker
Golden Soul
Micromanage
Pick of the Litter

[TJ]

Here's the official Haskell entries, post positions and past performances. Vyjack is cross entered in the Jim Dandy. TJ

13th RACE. (11) Post 6:18PM PURSE $1,000,000
46th Running
THE WILLIAM HILL HASKELL INVITATIONAL
3 YO STAKES 1 1/8 MILES
1 VYJACK (L) Rodriguez, R Lopez, P 118
2 PICK OF THE LITTER (L) Romans, D Castanon, J 118
3 GOLDEN SOUL (L) Stewart, D Albarado, R 118
4 POWER BROKER (L) Baffert, B Napravnik, R 118
5 OXBOW (L) Lukas, D Stevens, G 122
6 MICROMANAGE (L) R26 Pletcher, T Bravo, J 118
7 VERRAZANO (L) R16 Pletcher, T Velazquez, J 120

http://www.brisnet.com/php/bw_pdf_viewe ... 2013-07-28

[bdw0617]

ilike freedom child in the jim dandy at 16 to 1. way too high.

[geowarrior]

I liked Palice Malice but did not bet as the price was too low. Thought he looked pretty good winning, although he benefited from an excellent ride.

[TJ]

After these three important preps for the Travers Stake, there's no doubt that Verrazano and Palace Malice moved to the head of the class. Most impressive was Verrazano today as he destroyed the competition in the Haskell, leaving Oxbow gasping for air, far back in 4th. Verrazano will go next in the Travers and will get his opportunity to beat Orb and prove he is the best 3YO in the country. TJ

[bdw0617]

i thought the haskell was at 6:18 dammit i missed it

[TJ]

Here's the replays of these three races:
The Curlin Stakes (ungraded):
http://www1.drf.com/displayVideo.do?tra ... ountry=USA
The Grade II Jim Dandy Stakes:
http://www1.drf.com/displayVideo.do?tra ... ountry=USA
The Grade I Haskell:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdJqyevnFJQ

[Mac]

Verrazano was absolutely impressive. Scary nice horse. He made it look pretty easy.

[geowarrior]

I agree that Verrazano was extremely impressive, but I'm not sure Oxbow was himself and I also wonder if we have yet got to the bottom of Palice Malice.

BTW, saw Mike Smith winning the Bing Crosby today - he is just the best money rider around right now.

[Joltman]

The time was SLOW. Was the track playing that slow all day?

jm

[FOS]

hi TJ

After these three important preps for the Travers Stake, there's no doubt that Verrazano and Palace Malice moved to the head of the class.

Palace Malice carried Highweight of 123 in the Jim Dandy...giving 2 to 6 pounds to the other 8 runners. Palace Malice won in near track record time of 1:47 1/5, (the 2nd fastest 1 1/8 mile Jim Dandy ever), the Track Record is 1:46 3/5; you do the math, I say WOW!

Verrazano carried 120 in the Haskell, Oxbow carried highweight 122, the other 5 starters carried 118.Verrazano won in 1:50 3/5, that's OMG slow, and that's 3 4/5 seconds slower than the Monmouth Park Track Record of 1:46 4/5.

All things considered, I would submit that Palace Malice is the superior colt.

Most impressive was Verrazano today as he destroyed the competition in the Haskell, leaving Oxbow gasping for air, far back in 4th.

Verrazano performed very well, when compared to the others in the Haskell, but when considering the painfully slow winning time over the Fast Track...I'm left kinda cold.

As for Oxbow, as you likely now know, he was not gasping for air...rather, he was hurting...reportedly a soft tissue injury.

Verrazano will go next in the Travers and will get his opportunity to beat Orb and prove he is the best 3YO in the country. TJ

Unless Verrazano all of a sudden is reborn as something other than what we've already seen, I just do not expect to see him winning at a mile and a quarter versus TOP classics distance company.

Bottom line, based on what I've seen thus far of Verrazano, I am in no way shape or form convinced that even if he turns in the best mile and a quarter performance he is capable of, in the Travers, that he can beat Palace Malice if that guy delivers the best mile and a quarter performance that he is capable of.

Oh well, to each his/her own. To my way of thinking though, right now, Palace Malice is the best three-year-old in the country...and if he remains healthy, happy and sound, and has a reasonable measure of good racing luck...he's on track to be the 3-yo champion.

Good luck to the connections, of both Palace Malice and Verrazano. May the colts be healthy and happy....and sound.

Hopefully there's plenty of great racing to look forward to this summer, and fall.

Best to ya.

Respectfully
,

[geowarrior]

FOS, I might not be so adamant and no capitals are involved in my opinion but I am leaning towards Palice Malice having more upside as he has been slower to mature. The time for the Haskell was certainly slow, but with Oxbow out of the picture early, there was no one else to push Verrazano, so I don't place quite as much emphasis on the slow time as you do.

[bdw0617]

FOS I pretty much agree with you

1. I'm not all that convinced he beat anyone in the Haskell

2. let's keep in mind he's by more than ready a die in the wool sprinter. he hasn't done anything whatsoever to suggest he wants 10F. Let alone against horses that run all day like orb and palice malice


I think right now, if on his A game, Orb is still the best 3YO in the country. But I don't think V wants any part of palice malice or orb in a mile


this will be hte best haskell in years IMHO if V runs in there.

[pfrsue]

Per the DRF: "The margin of victory was the largest in the 46-year history of the Haskell, eclipsing the seven-length margin Bluegrass Cat won by in 2006." And "While the final time of 1:50.68 was the slowest Haskell since 1978, the Monmouth track was deep and slow for most of the humid, overcast afternoon." Source: http://www.drf.com/news/haskell-invitat ... -much-best

Whether Verrazano wants a mile and a quarter is still a question mark, but I do think he's a super nice horse and it bears remembering that he's undefeated with the exception of the Derby. Yes, the Haskell was a slow race, but it's not like Verrazano had to extend himself to win it.

Having said that, obviously Palace Malice can run a distance and he's just looking better and better. I'm always happy when the Belmont winner turns out to be much more than a one hit wonder.

The Travers is really shaping up to be quite a race.

[Mac]

I'm leaning toward Palace Malice for the mile and quarter, that's a tough distance for a More Than Ready it would seem. Verrazano is a nice, nice horse though.