The Preakness Stakes (G1) in May was the eighth consecutive graded event for Aikenite, and when the Florida-bred colt finished a disappointing 10th behind Lookin At Lucky, his connections were left scratching their heads.
Aikenite had run well against top-shelf talent before, finishing second in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland and the Derby Trial (G3) at Churchill Downs and third in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga and the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. But in the Preakness, the horse just didn’t seem like himself.
Cot Campbell, the president of Dogwood Stable, the Aiken, S.C.-based operation that owns Aikenite, said the horse appeared to need a confidence booster, and he got just that in his most recent start. The son of Yes It’s True benefited from a dip in class in a $53,000 allowance at Belmont Park on June 19, winning by two lengths with a career-best 99 Beyer Speed Figure.
“His race in the Preakness was too bad to believe, and I don’t think he showed up that day, so it was good to get him back and get a win in him,” Campbell said. “We were excited about that.”
Aikenite, bred at Brylynn Farm Inc. in Reddick, has won two of his 10 starts for $332,606. He’ll try to add to that total when he returns to graded stakes action in Saturday’s $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga. The nine-furlong race drew a field of nine 3-year-olds, and Aikenite is the second-richest horse in the group.
Aikenite was a $225,000 purchase as a 2-year-old at OBS in February 2009 and made his debut for trainer Todd Pletcher at Saratoga last August, winning a $55,000 maiden special weight race by 2 ½ lengths. Aikenite sat in second place for most of that race, but lately, he’s become a closer, rallying from last place in both the Derby Trial and his recent allowance score.
Campbell said he expects Aikenite to use that same strategy when he breaks from the No. 4 post under David Cohen, who rode him last out. Aikenite breezed a half-mile at Saratoga on Monday in 48 3/5 seconds. He’s a 10-1 choice on the morning line for the Jim Dandy.
“I think we’ve finally arrived at his running style,” Campbell said. “He’ll drop right back and make a run. I’m not certain he wants a mile and an eighth, but we’ll find out. He’s training well and had a good work the other day, for him. He’s not one to volunteer much in a work. He just does what he has to do. I think he does like the track, and he has a rider who just won with him and likes him. We’re hoping to get a piece of it, if not all of it.”
The 3-1 morning-line favorite is Fly Down, the runner-up to Drosselmeyer in the Belmont Stakes (G1) last out. Fly Down leads the field with $382,070 in earnings for trainer Nick Zito. The son of Mineshalft drew the outside post and will have Jose Lezcano aboard.
Fly Down is 2-for-3 at the 1 1/8-mile distance, including a win over Drosselmeyer in the Dwyer Stakes (G2) at Belmont in May.
The field also includes Steinbeck (6-1), Afleet Express (4-1), Stormy’s Majesty (15-1), A Little Warm (7-2), Miner’s Reserve (10-1), Winslow Homer (12-1) and Friend Or Foe (8-1).
A Little Warm won the $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes before finishing second in both the Hutcheson Stakes (G2) and the Louisiana Derby (G2). He returned from a brief freshening last month to win a $40,000 optional claimer at Delaware Park by 2 ¼ lengths with a 105 Beyer. It’s the highest mark for any horse entered in the Jim Dandy.
Miner’s Reserve finished second in that optional claimer.
Friend Or Foe is perfect in three starts, including a 2 ½-length win against New York-breds in the $98,000 Mike Lee Stakes last month.
Winslow Homer won the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) and returned from an injury to finish third in the Iowa Derby (G3) last out.
Stormy’s Majesty is 3-for-3 and will be making his stakes debut.
Afleet Express won the Pegasus Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park last month for his second straight win.
Steinbeck, Group 3-placed in his native Ireland, will be making his U.S. debut.
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Coglianese Photo
