Jim Dandy

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

CHARITABLE MAN (Lemon Drop Kid) probably found the 1 1/2-mile distance of the
Belmont S. (G1) too taxing, but we expect him to bounce back with a win in the
$500,000 Jim Dandy S. (G2). He won’t be facing the likes of Summer Bird
(Birdstone), Dunkirk (Unbridled’s Song) and Mine That Bird (Birdstone) on
Saturday at Saratoga, and the Kiaran McLaughlin trainee is proven at the 1
1/8-mile distance, recording a superb 3 3/4-length score in the Peter Pan S.
(G2) two starts back that netted him a commendable 103 BRIS Speed rating. It
came around one turn at Belmont Park, but the Virginia-bred colt should be able
to handle the distance against these opponents. He owns excellent tactical speed
and figures to sit a forwardly placed trip under Alan Garcia before taking over.

WARRIOR’S REWARD (Medaglia d’Oro) knocked off Munnings (Speightstown) in a
seven-furlong allowance on the Kentucky Oaks (G1) undercard and has placed in
his last two starts, finishing second by a head in the Northern Dancer (G3)
prior to a troubled third in the Dwyer S. (G2). The Ian Wilkes runner owns
formidable BRIS Speed and Late Pace numbers, but he’ll be running late.

FLAT BOLD (Flatter) rolled to a good-looking allowance score last time and is
an intriguing longshot from the McLaughlin stable. He’ll be seriously tested
for class in his stakes bow, but this doesn’t appear to be the strongest group
of three-year-olds and we like the inside post, jockey Ramon Dominguez and the
fact that he can sit close with his natural speed. We’ll use the improving colt in
the top three for value.

KENSEI (Mr. Greeley) stepped forward with a 3 1/4-length victory in the Dwyer
last time, and we like a horse entering on the upswing for a top conditioner
like Steve Asmussen. He’s one-for-one at Saratoga, winning his career bow last
August, but this will be the bay colt’s first start around two turns. We’re not keen
on his win chances at nine furlongs, but we could easily envision his hitting
the board given his strong present form. We recommend giving him serious
consideration for the exotics.

CONVOCATION (Pulpit) also looms as a viable top three candidate. A 6
3/4-length maiden victor two back, the James Jerkens pupil jumped straight into
stakes company and recorded a runner-up in the Dwyer last time. We’re concerned
about the possibility of a regression, as well as the fact that he ran poorly in
his only previous attempt at two turns, but Convocation appears to be improving
and could show up with a strong effort.

SARATOGA SINNER (Harlan’s Holiday) will show speed from his rail post off the
layoff, but he may not get the speed-rail bias that benefited him last time in
the Holy Bull S. (G3) at Gulfstream. We’ll give him a race off the shelf.
MINER’S ESCAPE (Mineshaft) stopped in the Belmont S. and doesn’t look fast
enough to challenge here.