Tonalist Headlines $600,000 Grade II Jim Dandy at the Spa

Tonalist, trained by Christophe Clement, is the 8/5 morning line favorite and has been working steadily since his Belmont score.  Ridden by Joel Rosario for the third consecutive start, Tonalist figures to find a comfortable tracking position behind Cousin Stephen (12/1) who looks like the most likely pace-setter on paper.  Tonalist has three wins in five career starts for earnings of $957,000. 

Wicked Strong adds blinkers

Wood Memorial (G.1) winner Wicked Strong returns from back to back fourth place efforts in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes as the 2/1 second choice.  The James Jerkins trainee tries blinkers for the first time in his career which should place him closer to the early speed.  Wicked Strong has shown an strong closing kick throughout his career and will be ridden for the fifth time in nine starts by jockey Raji Maragh. 

KY Derby runner-up returns 

At 5/1, Kentucky Derby runner-up Commanding Curve is an interesting item although he figures to be well off the early leaders with plenty of ground to make up in the stretch.  In his last start, Commanding Curve ran a disappointing ninth in the Belmont behind Tonalist.  Another closer, Kid Cruz (8/1), is sharp for trainer Linda Rice and has recorded back to back victories in the Easy Goer and Dwyer Stakes.  This will be the 50th running of the race.