Forego Stakes: Sidney's Candy and Jackson Bend Headline a Tough Field

The second of three Grade I stakes races today at Saratoga is the Forego Stakes. It has no nomination fees, and is open to horses ages three and older.

Nine horses will run this Breeder’s Cup prep race at a distance of seven furlongs over Saratoga’s main dirt track.

The post time for this race is at 5:12 p.m. EST. The horses for this race are:

1. Jackson Bend – Jockey Corey Nakatani, trainer: Nick Zito, morning line odds 5/2.

2. Sidney’s Candy – Jockey: John Velazquez, trainer: Todd Pletcher, morning line odds: 4/1.

3. Golddigger – Jockey: Stewart Elliot, trainer:Ramon Preciado, morning Line odds: 15/1.

4. Jersey Town – Jockey: Cornelio Velazquez, trainer: Barclay Tagg, morning line odds: 6/1.

5. Hamazing Destiny – Jockey: Robbie Albarado, trainer: D. Wayne Lukas, morning line odds: 5/1.

6. Escrow Kid – Jockey: Oliver Castillo, trainer: Carl Doran, morning line odds: 15/1.

7. Aikenite – Jockey: Javier Castellano, trainer: Todd Pletcher, morning line odds: 5/1.

8. Regal Ransom – Jockey: Ramon Dominguez, trainer: Saeed bin Suroor, morning line odds: 6/1.

9. Rule by Night – Jockey: David Cohen, trainer: Steven Asmussen, morning line odds: 15/1.

This is a very hard race to handicap where almost all the horses have a chance to win. The favorite, Jackson Bend, comes from winning the James Marvin Stakes, defeating Hamazing Destiny, Escrow Kid and Aikenite.

Prior to the Kentucky Derby last year, Jackson Bend was one of the top three year old horses. He had five wins and four second places in nine starts. He then finished 12th in the Kentucky Derby and third in the Preakness.

From there on he was taken back in distance since his best races have been at eight-and-a-half miles or less. If he is back to that form he had before the Derby, he should win here again.

The intriguing horse here is versatile Sidney’s Candy. He is versatile in the sense that he can run any surface, not so with his running style. He must run up front, otherwise he won’t make his best effort.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, it will be interesting how Johnny V will ride him since he has the No. 2 slot in the gate and there are some speed horses that will not allow him to ease up at the lead.

The other Pletcher horse is Aikenite. Fifth to Jackson Bend in the James Marvin, he was forced to run closer to the pace than what he likes. He ran wide on the turn and on the stretch and faded slowly.

Aikenite should benefit from more speed today and could be taken back by Javier Castellano and make his late run. He is the best closer in the race today.

Escrow Kid and Regal Ransom seem to be the speed challenge for Sidney’s Candy. They also run their best up front and with so much speed it’s difficult to envision any of them holding up at the end.

For as good as Sidney’s Candy is, it will be tough for him to win, even though he cuts back in distance. I don’t think my rule of favoring the mount a jockey chooses over another will work today.

I see Aikenite—John Velazquez rode him before—as a better choice than Sidney’s Candy for Johnny V.

Golddigger’s Boy has won five in row, and eight out of six. But he steps up some in company time here. He is well within the range to improve enough to contend, since this is not an elite field. Could surprise here.

Jersey Town catches my attention here. This will be his second start this year and has been working out really well. He has the best Beyer among the runners here—111 last year.

Cornelio Velazquez rides him again today. With Cornelio he registered that 111 against Haynesfield and Girolamo at last year’s Cigar Mile. He is one to watch for.

Hamazing Destiny definitely bounced in his last after a solid 102 Beyer when returning from eight months rest. Robbie Albarado is back on him today and should be able to stalk the pace and have his best run on him.

I see the race with Sidney’ Candy up front early, with Escrow Kid right at his side, followed by Regal Ransom about a half-length behind.

In a second group should be Golddigger’s Boy with Jackson Bend inside and Jersey Town and Hamazing Destiny outside. Aikenite should be right behind them.

Around the turn and into the top of the stretch I see Jersey Town and Hamazing Destiny being able to angle outside and go up front. I think the inside rail will not work for Jackson Bend this time.

At the end I see Hamazing Destiny over Jersey Town and fast closing Jackson Bend and Aikenite third and fourth.

Once again this should be an interesting tactical race where the jockeys will play the main role on their mounts. I expect another close finish here.

- Carlos Torres