The 2015 racing season has been a frustrating and unsuccessful one so far for Palace Malice, who has been plagued by a series of minor injuries.
In Sunday's Alydar Stakes, however, the two-time Aiken-Trained Horse of the Year will have the opportunity to rebound from his setbacks and get back into a competitive groove.
Palace Malice is the 5-2 morning line favorite for the $100,000 Alydar, which will be run at Saratoga Race Course in New York.
Owned by Dogwood Stable in partnership with Three Chimneys Farm, the 5-year-old bay will break from the No. 6 post position while facing 11 rivals. His rider will be John Velazquez.
"We expect a good race, and we have to see one to make any big plans for the future," said Dogwood President Cot Campbell. "He needs to win it or have a good excuse for why he didn't win."
Palace Malice captured the Grade I Belmont Stakes in 2013 and the Grade I Metropolitan Handicap in 2014. This year, however, he has only competed once, finishing third in the Diablo Stakes at New York's Belmont Park in May.
Afterward, Campbell said he was "a trifle disappointed" that Palace Malice didn't do better.
But based on how the horse has been behaving recently, Campbell is hopeful that Palace Malice is back in top form.
With Velazquez aboard, Palace Malice worked five furlongs in :59.30 at Saratoga on Aug. 2. It was the fastest training move at that distance for the morning.
"It was as good a work as he's ever had in his life," Campbell said. "He galloped out impressively. He just wanted to keep going, and he acted like he was doing it in the easiest possible way. It indicated that he is on the brink of a very good race."
Palace Malice is trained by Todd Pletcher.
Also entered in the Alydar is another Aiken-trained runner, Godolphin Racing's Bay of Plenty, who has the No. 1 post position. Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, he will be ridden by Joel Rosario.
A 4-year-old colt, Bay of Plenty finished second in the Grade III Discovery Handicap at Aqueduct in New York last November.
In 2015, Bay of Plenty has captured an allowance/optional claiming race and finished ninth (next-to-last) in the Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont.
The post time for the Alydar is 5:50 p.m.