Happy Saver, Jesus' Team Possible for Whitney

Wertheimer and Frere's homebred Happy Saver, who finished third in the July 3 Suburban Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park, and Grupo 7 C Racing Stable's Jesus' Team are potential starters for the Aug. 7 $1 million Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.

Happy Saver, who bested Mystic Guide  in last October's Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), entered Saturday's test undefeated in five starts for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Leaving from the outermost post 6 in the Suburban under Irad Ortiz Jr., Happy Saver tracked in fourth position throughout until closing four-wide around the turn. However, he failed to catch the victorious Max Player  and Mystic Guide at the wire. Happy Saver's stablemate Moretti  checked in fourth.

"I thought Happy Saver ran well," said Pletcher. "He was stuck wide the whole way around there from that post. It was a little bit of a tricky start but I thought he put in an honest effort. They both came back very well. We'll see how he bounces out of it and consider the Whitney and the Jockey Club and play it by ear."

Trainer Jose D'Angelo said July 4 that Jesus' Team will make his return in the July 11 City of Dania Stakes at Gulfstream Park before shipping to Saratoga with an eye towards the Whitney.

Jesus' Team breezed a bullet five-eighths in 1:00.65 July 3 at Palm Meadows Training Center.

"He's doing well. He's ready to run next weekend. He worked really good yesterday," said D'Angelo. "I think he needs this race to get ready and get back to what we did last year and qualify for the Breeders' Cup."

Last year, Jesus' Team finished third in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga ahead of a third in the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Racecourse. The son of Tapiture   then ran a fast-closing second at odds of 62-1 in the Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Keeneland before closing his campaign with a win in the Claiming Crown Jewel Stakes at Gulfstream.

Jesus' Team has made two starts this year, finishing second in the Jan. 23  Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) and sixth in the March 27 Dubai World Cup Emirates Airline (G1) at Meydan Racecourse.

D'Angelo said he is looking forward to returning to Saratoga with Jesus' Team.

"Last year was good for racing but with no fans at Saratoga it was weird, because we're used to seeing Saratoga full of good people and a nice environment and ambience," said D'Angelo. "I hope this year to see Saratoga full of people and that we can have a good time with Jesus, too."

The Whitney offers a "Win and You're In" berth to the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).