First Look: Jim Dandy, Vanderbilt, Bing Crosby lead calendar

This week’s graded-stakes action begins Wednesday at Saratoga, where Echo Zulu looks to go 2-for-2 on the year in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss.

Elite Power looks to keep his win streak going in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1), where he could face Gunite again. And look for Forte and Angel of Empire to square off in the Jim Dandy (G2).

Del Mar hosts three weekend graded stakes, including the Bing Crosby (G1) and fillies will line up for the Monmouth Oaks (G3).

Here’s an early look at the likely fields.

Wednesday

Honorable Miss (G2), Saratoga, 6 furlongs, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up

Echo Zulu makes her second start of the year here after leading at every call to win the Winning Colors (G3) by 5 3/4 lengths on May 29. Frank’s Rockette, second in this event last year, is 2-for-2 this year and would make her first start since April 29. Maryquitecontrary had won five in a row before finishing second to Goodnight Olive in the April 8 Madison (G1) last out.

Friday

Amsterdam (G2), Saratoga, 6 1/2 furlongs, 3-year-olds

Drew’s Gold’s second-place finish to Arabian Lion in the Woody Stephens (G1) was his first career loss after four wins. Gilmore was third in the Woody Stephens and is looking for his first win since breaking his maiden in December, though he’s been in the money in four of those five starts. Ryvit is riding a five-race winning streak, which includes a Grade 3 win in the Chick Lang. Joey Freshwater is 0-for-4 since winning the Bay Shore (G3) in April.

Saturday

Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1), Saratoga, 6 furlongs, 4-year-olds and up

Champion male sprinter Elite Power looks to extend his winning streak to eight after scoring in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint and the True North (G2) this year. Gun It would return to graded-stakes company after going 3: 1-1-1 for Linda Rice in optional-claiming allowances since he was claimed in April. Gunite, listed as possible here, was second to Elite Power in Riyadh and won the Aristides last out. Dean Delivers won his last two, including a gate-to-wire score last out in the Smile Sprint (G3).

Jim Dandy (G2), Saratoga, 1 1/8 miles, 3-year-olds

Forte has been working at Saratoga for his first start since finishing second in the Belmont Stakes. He breezed four furlongs in 50.0 seconds Saturday. Angel of Empire and Hit Show were third and fifth in the Kentucky Derby, respectively, before dead-heating for fourth in the Belmont. Disarm, fourth in the Kentucky Derby, won the Matt Winn (G3) last out for his first score in five starts this year.

Monmouth Oaks (G3), Monmouth Park, 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-old fillies

Vegas Magic, 3-for-6 as a juvenile, has had only one start this year, finishing sixth in the Great Lady M on July 4. Promiseher America would make her first start since finishing 14th in the Kentucky Oaks (G1). Before that, she won the Gazelle (G3) by a half-length over Gambling Girl. After breaking her maiden in December, Occult won a black-type stakes at Aqueduct and was fifth in the Gazelle (G3) before her third-place finish in the Acorn (G1).

Bing Crosby (G1), Del Mar, 6 furlongs, 3-year-olds and up, automatic qualifier for Breeders' Cup Sprint

The Chosen Vron would look to extend his winning streak to eight races, but he hasn’t started in graded company since finishing fifth in the Pat O’Brien (G2) in August. American Theorem won this event last year but is 0-for-3 since. Spirit of Makena has won three in a row, including the Triple Bend (G2) and the San Carlos (G3) in his last two starts. Kid Corleone would make his second start of the year after winning an optional-claiming allowance at Santa Anita in June.

San Diego Handicap (G2), Del Mar, 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-olds and up

Defunded could get his third straight graded victory here after winning the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) and the Californian (G2) in his last two starts. Slow Down Andy was sixth in the Met Mile (G1) in his only start this year. Country Grammer, second in this race last year, is 0-for-3 after a trip to the Mideast and a fourth-place finish in the Hollywood Gold Cup.

Sunday

Bowling Green (G2), Saratoga, 1 3/8 miles (turf), 4-year-olds and up

Now with Christophe Clement after being moved from Brad Cox’s barn, Tawny Port will make his first start on turf. He’s 0-for-5 since winning the Ohio Derby (G3) last year. In his first start since April 1, and his first for trainer Richard Dutrow, he was second in an optional-claiming allowance race on July 4. Soldier Rising finished seconds in both of his starts this year, the Man o’ War (G1) and the Manhattan (G1).

Probables were not available for the Seagram Cup (G2) at Woodbine on Saturday or the Eddie Read (G2) at Del Mar on Sunday.