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Fresh off his win in the Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II) July 27, Palace Malice can be expected to make his next start in the $1 million Travers Stakes (gr. I), Cot Campbell, head of owner Dogwood Stable, indicated the morning after the race.
With a win in the centerpiece of the Saratoga Race Course season Aug. 24, Palace Malice would join 1969 Horse of the Year Arts and Letters as the only horse to sweep the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), Jim Dandy, and Travers. The son of Curlin became the first horse to win the Belmont and Jim Dandy since Conquistador Cielo in 1982.
The venerable Campbell was understandably delighted by Palace Malice's one-length victory over Will Take Charge in the Jim Dandy. The winning time of 1:47.37 was the second-fastest Jim Dandy since the race was moved to 1 1/8 miles in 1972. Palace Malice was awarded a 107 Beyer figure, best by a 3-year-old male on dirt this year.
"He seems to have come out fine, very feisty, feeling good, looking for peppermints; that's always a good sign," Campbell said. "So we're very pleased, and we'll start easing into the next go-round."
Before heading to the airport, trainer Todd Pletcher said, "I figured it was going to be good, a very solid time. He picked it up every step along the way.
"You hate to say it was a bigger performance than winning the Belmont, but it certainly looked that way."
Bred by W. S. Farish out of the Royal Anthem mare Palace Rumor, the bay colt has a 3-3-1 record in nine starts with earnings of $1,231,135.
SDtn.jpg "Preps Set for Dogwood Derby Pair")
