In their last meeting, the Feb. 18th General George Handicap (gr. IIT), Affirmed Success spotted Wrangler six pounds and was beaten 2 3/4 lengths. Trainer Richard Schosberg and owner Al Fried Jr. are taking a different approach with 8-year-old Affirmed Success this year than they have in the past.The Breeders' Cup has become a secondary goal after Affirmed Success ran one of the worst races of his career in the Breeders Cup Mile (gr. IT) at Belmont last fall. Changes in the gelding's schedule are already evident as this will be his third start this year whereas he did not make his seasonal debut until late May last year.
Stronach Stable's Wrangler, who has now won three straight since being transferred to trainer Jimmy Jerkens from Joe Orseno, rallied to his first graded stakes victory in the General George. Prior to his General George score, the four-year-old Carson City colt registered victories in the Paumonok as well as a third-level allowance.Jerkens has also entered Voodoo and Multiple Choice, but will likely run Multiple Choice with Wrangler. The two would not be coupled in the wagering. The field for Saturday's Toboggan Handicap includes: Run Kush Run (Jose Bermudez, 112); Voodoo (Shaun Bridgmohan, 112): Multiple Choice (Lorenzo Lezcano, 111); King's Messenger (C.C. Lopez, 112); Affirmed Success (Richard Migliore, 119); Vodka (Heberto Castillo Jr., 113); and Wrangler (Aaron Gryder, 119).