Several runners from Kentucky Derby 138 will be competing in two key races this weekend: the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy at Saratoga on Saturday and the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Sunday.
Gemologist, diagnosed with a foot bruise after his 16th place finish in the Derby, has been training well in preparation for his return to the track in the Haskell.
The son of Tiznow, trained by Todd Pletcher, was 5 for 5 before the Derby, including a win in the Wood Memorial.
Also competing in the Haskell is Dullahan, who was third in the Derby and seventh in the Belmont Stakes.
The half-brother to Derby winner Mine That Bird, trained by Dale Romans, arrived at Monmouth Park on Monday night. Jockey Kent Desormeaux, who was aboard for the colt’s two wins, gets the call. Dullahan is seeking his first win on dirt, as both victories were at Keeneland on synthetic.
In the Jim Dandy, Alpha, who was 12th in the Derby, embarks on his comeback bid after some setbacks. He suffered a leg infection prior to the Derby that limited his pre-race training. He missed the Belmont because of a fever. The son of Bernardini, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, has posted some strong works at Saratoga leading into this race.
Bob Baffert’s Liaison and Mark Casse’s Prospective are also entered in the Jim Dandy.
Liaison has raced twice at Betfair Hollywood Park since his sixth place finish in the Derby, placing second in the Affirmed Stakes and third in the Swaps Stakes. Jockey Martin Garcia will be aboard.
Prospective has bounced back from his 18th place finish in the Derby with two straight wins: the Victoria Park Stakes at Woodbine and the Ohio Derby at Thistledown.
