Saratoga 2023: Look for Zandon to improve in Whitney

One older colt who might surprise bettors at the upcoming Saratoga meet is Zandon, who has been pointed toward the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Stakes on Aug. 5. In his recent races, Zandon put his miler skills to the test with mixed results, but the stretchout back to nine furlongs should help.

Why should stretching out help Zandon at Saratoga? His earlier races as a 2-year-old and 3-year-old already prove he runs well in longer dirt routes.

In December 2021, Zandon tried nine furlongs for the first time when making only his second career start in the Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct. He fired immediately with a winning race and arguably lost because of interference from Irad Ortiz Jr. on Mo Donegal in the stretch.

When Zandon competed in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds as a 3-year-old, he might have lost his chance with a bad start and still came with a late rally for third. The two horses in front of him were Epicenter and Smile Happy.

Two months later, Zandon won the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) to pick up his only other win besides his successful career debut in a maiden sprint. He won the race in a strong manner by opening up on Smile Happy toward the wire.

Smile Happy finished ahead of Zandon at Fair Grounds, but this time Zandon reversed the order and established himself as a top 3-year-old router. 

Nothing about his three-race stretch from the Remsen to Blue Grass Stakes indicated Zandon wanted to cut back in distance. If anything, they suggested he would go on to a great career in nine- to 10-furlong races.

Most inexperienced horses do not stretch out from a six-furlong maiden sprint to a nine-furlong graded stakes race easily. Some of them need more seasoning before they can handle longer routes, especially when they face stakes opponents. Yet Zandon almost won the Remsen in his second race, and then he won the Blue Grass in his fourth career start.

After the Kentucky Derby, Zandon started his current losing streak. He finished third in the Kentucky Derby and Travers Stakes (G1) and second in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) and Pennsylvania Derby (G1). But Zandon turned in respectable efforts in all of those races.

Rich Strike took advantage of the pace scenario in the Kentucky Derby and surprised most bettors. Zandon receives a pass for that third-place finish. 

Also, Zandon kept running into Epicenter in most of those races, and that colt had more talent. Repeatedly finishing behind Epicenter did not mean Zandon wanted to cut back. Epicenter just kept delivering great performances.

When Zandon cut back to one mile in the Cigar Mile (G1) at Aqueduct in December, he gave a flat effort that resembled anything but a miler.

After moving into contention and tipping out on the turn, Zandon failed to respond further despite Joel Rosario’s best efforts to encourage the colt. Mind Control, Get Her Number and White Abarrio separated themselves from the rest of the horses at this point, while Zandon maintained a steady pace.

The three horses in front had an extra gear that worked in a quick one-mile race. In contrast, Zandon ran with an even tempo meant for longer route distances. Perhaps the slop provided Zandon with an excuse.

Months later when Zandon returned in the Westchester Stakes (G3) at Belmont, almost the same scenario happened. Zandon moved into contention on the turn and tipped out, and Repo Rocks opened up on him in the stretch. Repo Rock finished 5 1/4 lengths ahead of Zandon. 

Maybe the five-month layoff provided Zandon with another excuse. Trainer Chad Brown has been known to use races to work his horses into shape.

Zandon improved slightly in the recent Metropolitan Handicap (G1) with a good closing move to beat White Abarrio for second. Nevertheless, he still lacked the quickness to contend for the win and finished 3 1/4 lengths behind Cody’s Wish.

Based on Zandon’s record, the one-turn miles do not fit him that great, at least not at the highest level of racing.

Next month, Zandon will stretch back out to nine furlongs in the Whitney, and he might surprise bettors with a better finish. Instead of letting a few horses run away from him in the stretch, Zandon is supposed to finish stronger this time with most of the horses tiring.

Then again, if Cody’s Wish shows up in the Whitney, the task will become more difficult for all the other entrants. But at least the distance will fit Zandon’s steady pace and give him the chance to turn in his best effort.