Kid Cruz Eyes Jim Dandy, Travers

Kid Cruz has even bigger races on the agenda after posting his first graded stakes win on Saturday by defeating entry-mate Captain Serious by three-quarters of a length in the Grade 3, 1 1/16-mile Dwyer for 3-year-olds.

"We will point towards the Jim Dandy [Grade 2, $600,000, 1 1/8 miles, July 26, Saratoga Race Course] and then the Travers [Grade 1, $1.25 million, 1 ¼ miles, August 23, Saratoga]," said Rice. "If I feel like he needs more time, we'll just wait and train him to the Travers."

Named for New York Giant Victor Cruz, Kid Cruz had previously won the Private Terms at Laurel Park, Federico Tesio at Pimlico, and Easy Goer at Belmont. He finished eighth in the Preakness between the Tesio and Easy Goer.

"We've had a few bumps along the road," said Rice. "We had to scratch him from the Wood Memorial [in April], so we'll see how it plays out. One day at a time."

Kid Cruz employed new tactics in the Dwyer, racing in fourth, three lengths behind pacesetting Captain Serious before moving up and wearing down the early leader in the stretch. Previously, Kid Cruz, who is owned by Vina Del Mar Thoroughbreds and Black Swan Stable, had rallied from as many as 18 lengths back in his one of his three prior stakes wins.

"When he won the Private Terms, he was so far back and there were such slow fractions that I thought there was something wrong, but each time he's been laying a little closer," said Rice. "I think the riders, in particular Irad [Ortiz], have figured out that you have to ask him to be there. He's not going to do it on his own, but he does seem to be getting the hang of it."

Rice also has Saratoga plans for Antonino Miuccio's Palace, a two-time graded stakes winner who was second by 6 ¼ lengths to Clearly Now in yesterday's Grade 3 Belmont Sprint Championship.

"I think six furlongs is a better distance for him," said Rice of Palace, who won Grade 3 Fall Highweight in November and Grade 2 True North in June, both at six furlongs. "We'll point to the [Grade 1, $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at six furlongs on August 2 at Saratoga]. I think that will be a better distance for him."

Rice also confirmed that Sheila Rosenblum's La Verdad, a graded stakes winner who last week added a score against New York-breds in the Dancin Renee, remains on course for the Grade 2 HRTV Honorable Miss Handicap on July 28 at Saratoga.