THE sole Grade 1 stateside this weekend is Saratoga’s Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (9.50pm) which features the top class sprinter Jackie Warrior who should dominate the six-furlong contest.

NY Traffic opposes after two blacktype wins on his last two runs but has yet to win a group race.

It is the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes (10.37pm) that is the most interesting with the return to action of the Preakness winner Early Voting. He is taken on again by the horse he beat at Pimlico, the Steve Asmussen-trained Epicenter, who was also second in the Kentucky Derby where he was sent off favourite after winning the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby.

The three-year-old colt division has yet to establish a definite leader and an impressive win for either colt could put them back on top before the big Saratoga Grade 1s next month. Chad Brown’s Zandon was third in the Kentucky Derby after winning the Grade 1 Blue Grass in Kentucky and is not out of it though absent since the Derby in early May.

Early Voting is a son of the record-breaking Gun Runner, who had the one-two in the Haskell last week. Early Voting had the run of the race in the Preakness where Epicenter got taken back and had to come through when the winner had gone – a ride that did not please trainer Steve Asmussen.

That followed another race that did not suit him when he was close to the early pace in the Kentucky Derby where tactical speed worked against him. It was to his credit that he stayed in the race and looked the winner until Rich Strike appeared. This could be his day.

Saratoga on Sunday features the Grade 2 Bowling Green Stakes on the turf where some regular players - Highland Chief, Cross Border and Rockemperor - are in action.

One time Kentucky Derby favourite Corniche returns in the Grade 2 Amsterdam Stakes over six and a half furlongs, now with Todd Pletcher. (10.34pm). His unbeaten three-race two-year-old campaign culminated in a Breeders’ Cup success last year when trained by Bob Baffert.

Del Mar

On the west coast, the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap is the highlight at Del Mar with the promoted 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun bidding to get back in the winner’s enclosure. It is a high class field. Country Grammer makes his first start since winning the March 26th Dubai World Cup while Tripoli captured the 2021 Pacific Classic.

The Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup winner There Goes Harvard may also be in opposition though he is entered on Sunday in the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes.

Country Grammer has two wins and one second placing in three starts since joining Bob Baffert in 2021 for whom he also won the 2021 Hollywood Gold Cup. He has to give 4lb to his main rivals.

Mandaloun disappointed when only ninth in the Saudi Cup in January and was off for months before tiring to fourth, beaten nine lengths behind Olympiad on his reappearance in the Grade 2 Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs on July 2nd.

The six-furlong Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes has Baffert’s Shaaz as one of the favourites of the 10 runners along with Shaaz along with Drain The Clock for Saffie Joseph, Jr.