Bailey Has Winning Touch

Intercontinental is a difficult mare to ride, but jockey Jerry Bailey certainly has the touch with the daughter of Danehill.

Bailey has won five of the last seven times he has ridden Intercontinental and he will be at Del Mar today to ride her in the $200,000 Palomar Breeders’ Cup Handicap.

A Grade II at 1 1/16 miles on the turf, the Palomar attracted five others, including John C. Mabee Handicap winner Amorama.

Owned by breeder Juddmonte Farms, Intercontinental was the beaten favorite July 23 in the Mabee, losing by 1 1/4 lengths at 13-10.

However, she was blocked and steadied in the final eighth of a mile and there is little doubt she would have won had she not encountered trouble.

Bailey, who last came to California to ride Intercontinental to victory in the Royal Heroine on July 3 at Hollywood Park, won the Grade I Matriarch last fall in Inglewood with the bay mare.

Besides Amorama, trainer Julio Canani will also send out the consistent Cotopaxi, who has been first or second in her five starts in this country, and the field is completed by Katdogawn, Flip Flop and Ticker Tape, who isn’t the same filly in 2005 as she was a year ago.

She is winless in four races as a 4-year-old after winning half of her 10 races in 2004.

Race of the day: Forest Danger, who won the Carter Handicap earlier this year at Aqueduct, will make his first start since a poor effort in the Metropolitan Handicap when he takes on six others in the $250,000 Forego today at Saratoga. John Velazquez will ride the 4-year-old Forestry colt for owners Aaron and Marie Jones and trainer Todd Pletcher in the Grade I at seven furlongs. Silver Wagon, Battle Won, Yankee Mon, Swingforthefences, Keep The Faith and Mass Media will provide the opposition.

One for the road: Mayo Post is two of two since joining the Jimmy Jerkens barn and can continue his hot streak in today’s eighth at Saratoga.

Javier Castellano will ride the 5-year-old Dixieland Band gelding for owner-breeder Austin Delaney in the $49,000 allowance for older New York-breds at six furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Hugh O’Neill, Seven Nation Army, Bing and King Of Legends in the sixth, Somuch Higher in the seventh and Iced Out, Scottsbluff, Dover Dere and Chips Are Down in the eighth.

Winners (through Thursday): Previous day/meet total: 4/95. Money: Previous day/meet total: $22.40/$565. Total money bet: $648.