Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Palace Malice put in a final workout for the upcoming $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II) July 21, breezing four furlongs in :49.77 at Saratoga Race Course.
Working alone for the July 27 Jim Dandy, Palace Malice ran the opening quarter mile in :25 flat and never was asked for his best effort by exercise rider Jake Nelson. The time was the 34th quickest of 95 at the distance on the morning.
It was the fifth workout for Palace Malice since his victory in the June 8 Belmont. His past three works all have come over the main track at Saratoga, where he registered his only other victory in a maiden event last Aug. 4.
"I thought he worked very well," said Todd Pletcher, who trains Palace Malice for Dogwood Stable. "We were looking for a little easier work than he's been getting and that was executed well; good gallop out, seems like he's in good form.
"I think he's done super since the Belmont. If anything, he's gotten bigger and stronger, and it seems like he took that race really well. He's getting better all the time. He's been really push-button.
"After the Belmont was the first time we breezed him by himself, and I wasn't sure what to expect, but he seems to handle that really well. He was relaxed, but he picked it up when he needed to."
The Belmont Stakes was the first black-type win for Palace Malice, who sports a 2-3-1 mark from eight appearances with earnings of $871,135. The bay colt is by Curlin out of the Royal Anthem mare Palace Rumor, and was bred in Kentucky by W. S. Farish.
Palace Malice
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