Head to Head: Handicapping the 2021 Whitney Stakes

ASHLEY

LAURIE

1. By My Standards (10-1)

By My Standards rebounded off a disappointing end to 2020 to take the Oaklawn Mile and check in second in the Met Mile (G1), a length behind winner Silver State. This son of Goldencents is about as consistent as they come, hitting the board in 13 of 16-lifetime starts. The 1 1/8-mile distance is also right up By My Standards’ alley; he’s 6: 3-2-0 at the distance. In any other race, he would be favored, but this is a loaded, though short, field. Cannot be dismissed despite being the 10-1 longest shot in the field.

By My Standards had to steady just after the start of the Met Mile, causing him lengths. He closed in the stretch on the far outside but ran out of real estate. The Bret Calhoun trainee galloped out past the top 2 finishers. By My Standards’ speed figure improved in his second start off the layoff. By My Standards hopes to improve off his  second-place finish in last year’s Whitney, and wouldn’t it be a typical Saratoga upset headline if he won? I agree, Ashley, don’t dismiss him.

2. Silver State (4-1)

As the reigning Met Mile (G1) winner, Silver State is one of the favorites in a salty field. He has now won six straight races dating back to October 2020. He was recently flattered when Met Mile also ran Lexitonian came back to win the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1). Last out, he defeated fellow entrants By My Standards and Knicks Go, making him a credible threat to the favorite.

Ricardo Santana, Jr. took advantage when Knicks Go blew the turn in the Met Mile, leaving the rail wide enough to drive a horse van through. It was the sixth straight victory for the Asmussen trainee. Silver State is on top of his game and has been firing quick works at Saratoga. As a result, he’s fully capable of pulling off the upset.

3. Swiss Skydiver (6-1)

Swiss Skydiver has a successful history running against the boys. She defeated Kentucky Derby winner and eventual Horse of the Year Authentic in last year’s Preakness. Prior to that, she ran a very good second in the Blue Grass (G2). She’s up against it here, though. She’s facing older males for the first time and has not raced in over 3 months due to a few hiccups in the year’s game plan. Last out she came up empty when facing Letruska and Monomoy Girl in the Apple Blossom (G1). If she brings her A+ game, however, she is more than capable of beating this field.

Although she beat the boys in the Preakness, Swiss Skydiver was at the top of her game. She’s returning after finishing a distant third against two older, accomplished mares back in April. I would love to see Swiss Skydiver win this; however, she’s in tough here. The McPeek trainee’s running style suits, and I can see her finishing in the money.

4. Knicks Go (6-5)

Despite losing the Met Mile (G1) as the favorite two starts back, Knicks Go has had a solid year. He kicked off 2021 with a decisive victory in the Pegasus World Cup (G1). He then finished 4th in both the Saudi Cup (G1) and the Met Mile (G1) before rebounding with a dominating win on the class drop in the Cornhusker Handicap (G3). He’s perfect at the 9-furlong distance and will be the one to catch as he goes straight for the lead at the break. He has posted triple-digit speed figures in at least four of his last six starts. Much deserved favorite.

Knicks Go can be forgiven his fourth place finish in the Met Mile since it was his first start after an earlier trip to Dubai. The Brad Cox trainee had a paid workout in the Cornhusker (G3), winning by ten lengths over a sub-par field and the pretty gray horse was never extended. Despite Knicks Go’s easy victory, his speed figure jumped 13 points to a lifetime best 111. Can he win against this solid field if he regresses off that number?

5. Maxfield (8-5)

Godolphin homebred Maxfield has just one blemish to his resumé; a 3rd place finish in this year’s Santa Anita Handicap (G1). He bounced back with victories in the Alysheba (G2) and the Stephen Foster (G2). He earned triple-digit speed figures in his last 3 starts. This is a deeper field than Maxfield has ever seen, but he seems up for the task.

Maxfield has lost only once in his career, and that was at ten furlongs. As Ashley said, this is the deepest field Maxfield has faced, but I believe in him. He has tactical speed and can stalk Knicks Go on the outside like a Special OPS sniper.