The Whitney is the feature on a full card that includes two other Grade I races and a Grade II race, all part of the “Win and You’re In” format of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. ABC will cover these events that make up a $500,000 guaranteed all-stakes Pick 4 during its live two-hour broadcast that begins at 4 p.m.
Among those being pointed for the 1 1/8 Whitney are A. P. Arrow, Commentator, Notional, Rising Moon, Solar Flare, Timber Reserve, and possibly, Tasteyville Commentator, trained by Nick Zito, won the race in 2005. Also being considered is Grasshopper, who local fans will remember from his exciting stretch run duel with Street Sense in last year’s Travers Stakes. The latter won by a half-length.
The winner of the Whitney automatically qualifies for the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on October 25.
Also being contested on Saturday’s card are the Grade I $500,000 Diana Handicap (1 1/8 miles on turf for fillies and mares), the Grade I $250,000 Go for Wand (1 1/8 miles for fillies and mares) and the Grade II $250,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (6 furlongs).
On Sunday, fans can get a good look at the upset winner of June’s Belmont Stakes in Da’Tara.
The Nick Zito-trainee, who thwarted Big Brown’s Triple Crown attempt, will headline the field for the Grade II $500,000 Jim Dandy for 3-year-olds at nine furlongs. The Jim Dandy is the traditional prep for the meet’s most famous race - the Travers Stakes - which will be run on Aug. 23. The last three winners of the Jim Dandy - Flower Alley, Bernardini and Street Sense - all went on to capture the Mid-Summer Derby.
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