Jackson Bend, who used last year’s
James Marvin as a stepping stone to his victory in the Grade 1 Forego,
will be looking for a repeat as he heads the list of probable starters
for the Grade 3, $100,000 race on Friday, July 20, Opening Day at
Saratoga Race Course.
Trained by Hall of Famer Nick Zito, the
5-year-old son of Hear No Evil this year added the Grade 1 Carter
Handicap and the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope to his resume, and most recently
finished fifth in the Grade 1 Met Mile.
Also targeting the seven-furlong James
Marvin, according to NYRA stakes coordinator Andrew Byrnes, are
multiple graded stakes winner Caixa Eletronica, who took the Grade 2 True North Handicap last time out, Crossbow, Goldigger’s Boy, Little Drama, Pacific Ocean, and Scotus. Brujo de Olleros, Hamazing Destiny and R King of the Road are questionable.
Sharing the card with the James Marvin is the Grade 3, $150,000 Schuylerville for 2-year-old fillies, expected to attract Baby J, Brown Eyes Blue, Can’t Explain, Fully Living, Mr Hall’s Opus, Scammony, So Many Ways, Sweet Shirley Mae, and Vitameta.