Classic winner Palace Malice is scheduled to make his first start since May in the $100,000 Alydar Stakes Aug. 9 at Saratoga Race Course.
The 1 1/8-mile Alydar, for 4-year-olds and older who haven't won a stakes in 2015 other than state-bred events, attracted 12 entries. Palace Malice, who won the 2013 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) and last year's Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I), will be making just his second start of the season after finishing third in his first 2015 effort, the Diablo Stakes at Belmont Park.
Dogwood Stable and Three Chimneys Farm's Palace Malice worked five furlongs in a bullet :59.30 Aug. 2 at Saratoga, after which trainer Todd Pletcher said the son of Curlin appeared to be returning to top form.
BLOOD-HORSE STAFF: Palace Malice Earns Bullet in Saratoga Breeze
"Well, we've had a rather uneven preparation for the races," said Dogwood's Cot Campbell. "He's had two or three very minor problems, but they've cost us some pain and time. We've been getting him ready to get back up and going again. We're very excited about getting him back and we hope to have a great rest of the year with him."
Committed to racing Palace Malice as long as he is healthy, Campbell hopes to use the Alydar as a springboard toward to the Woodward (gr. I) Sept. 5 at the Spa, with the long-term goal the Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I).
"We didn't want to haul off and run him quickly, but the Alydar will hopefully be the start to a great campaign," Campbell said. "That will be productive toward the Woodward and a couple of races in the fall in hopes of the Breeders' Cup. He worked exceedingly well and is on his 'A' game."
Sunday's field of 12 also includes 2012 dead-heat Travers Stakes (gr. I) winner Golden Ticket , grade II winner Noble Moon, and Shadwell Stable's Matrooh, who has won three of four races this season.
Saratoga Race Course, Sunday, August 09, 2015, Race 9Entries: Alydar S.
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1Bay of Plenty (KY) Joel Rosario 117 Kiaran P. McLaughlin - 2 2Noble Moon (VA) Kendrick Carmouche 123 Leah Gyarmati - 3 3Neck 'n Neck (KY) Julien R. Leparoux 115 Ian R. Wilkes - 4 4Empire Dreams (NY) Manuel Franco 121 Thomas Albertrani - 5 5Golden Ticket (KY) Corey J. Lanerie 121 Kenneth G. McPeek - 6 6Palace Malice (KY) John R. Velazquez 123 Todd A. Pletcher - 7 7Souper Lucky (FL) Luis Saez 119 Michael J. Trombetta - 8 8C J's Awesome (KY) Edgar S. Prado 115 Kenneth G. McPeek - 9 9Mexikoma (FL) Jose Lezcano 117 Michael Dilger - 10 10Dream Saturday (KY) Jose L. Ortiz 115 Michelle Nevin - 11 11Mylute (KY) Javier Castellano 117 Todd A. Pletcher - 12 12Matrooh (KY) Irad Ortiz, Jr. 119 Chad C. Brown -
