Saranac

Canadian invader JAMBALAYA (Langfuhr) is listed as the 3-1 morning-line

favorite for Sunday's Saranac S. (G3) at Saratoga, but we'll look elsewhere for

some value in the 1 3/16-mile turf fray. Lexington S. (G3) hero WOODLANDER

(Forestry) has been off for nearly two months, but we still like the Thomas Albertrani trainee's chances

at a healthy 6-1 on the morning line. We'll look for the bay to come rolling late under top jockey Edgar Prado.

A winner of his last three, Woodlander has found new life since switching to

the turf in late May. He came home like a monster when he tried the grass for the

first time, finishing his last eighth in :11 2/5 to break his maiden by 1 1/4

lengths. The sophomore colt returned against allowance rivals with the same

result, a one-length, off-the-pace win. Last time he wired his Lexington rivals

in impressive fashion with Prado up, and with his trainer's layoff record, we

think he'll be the one to beat at the wire.

Last out, SILVER WHISTLE (Alphabet Soup) was just a nose back of T. D. Vance

(Rahy) after a troubled trip in the National Museum Racing Hall of Fame S. (G2)

over this same course. Prior to that one he was a good fourth to turf sensation

English Channel (Smart Strike) in the Virginia Derby (G3), so class is not a

question. Jerry Bailey, who was aboard for the Bill Mott-conditioned colt's last

win, returns to ride. We'll use the gray in all levels of the gimmicks.

CROWN POINT (Honor Grades) gets John Velazquez in the irons for the Saranac

and owns some nice works recently over the Belmont training track, but has

finished no better than third since last October. He's a good horse to fill out the

single-race exotics.

CHESTERTOWN SLEW (Seattle Slew) is also winner of his last three, but he

steps up in class in this spot and we'll let him surprise us for the win while

using the improving John Kimmel trainee in the bottom of the exotics.

TADREEB (Theatrical [Ire]) got a good freshening for this one last out,

finishing first by 1 3/4 lengths against Monmouth allowance rivals despite being

steadied at the quarter-pole. The Mark Hennig trainee gets the services of Gary Stevens, and is another colt to fill out the exactas and trifectas.

PALLADIO (Lycius) has been more successful on the dirt, but could still

surprise here at 15-1. The Roger Attfield trainee rates our longshot special.

ZURICH (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) has upset potential in his initial

stakes try as part of an uncoupled entry for Mott. The chestnut valiantly held

on by a head last time going nine furlongs over the Saratoga turf course, and if

he can stretch out like his pedigree suggests, he could get up for a piece.

Jambalaya merits respect, as the dark bay gelding has not lost since moving

to the grass three back, but the gelding's BRIS Late Pace figures are well below that

of others in this field. We'll have to go against the Breeders' S. winner in his

first U.S. start., as we think he'll get outkicked in deep stretch.

Pat Byrne will saddle MESAWMI (Lemon Drop Kid) for the Saranac off a

third-place finish in the Regaey Island S. last time. The bay has been training

forwardly at Churchill Downs, but we don't think he'll be able to handle the

distance or the competition yet. PORT CHESTER (Chester House) has just a maiden win

to his credit and may need a start against this level.