Flower Alley Set to Blossom

Flower Alley, who won the Jim Dandy and Travers last year in his only two starts at Saratoga, returns to the scene of those easy victories today when he meets Invasor and seven others in the $750,000 Whitney Handicap.

Scheduled for 1 1/8 miles, the Whitney is one of two Grade I races on the program. One race earlier, a full field of 3-year-old fillies will run seven furlongs in the $250,000 Test.

Trained by Todd Pletcher for owners Eugene and Laura Melnyk, Flower Alley, a 4-year-old Distorted Humor colt, has made only one start in 2006. He won the Salvator Mile at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., skipping to a 3 1/4 -length victory as the 1-2 favorite over a sloppy track on June 24.

John Velazquez, who has been aboard for Flower Alley’s last three victories, has the mount again in the Whitney.

Invasor, an Argentine-bred son of Candy Stripes, is two for two since arriving in the U.S. The 4-year-old won the Pimlico Special on May 19, then returned to take the Suburban at Belmont Park on July 1.

Wild Fit, who is most effective as a late-running sprinter, will make her first start since finishing third in the Santa Anita Oaks on March 12 in the Test.

Race of the day: Untouched Talent, who won the $44,000 Juan Gonzalez Memorial on July 1 at Pleasanton in her debut, will break from the rail as she tries to become a graded stakes winner in the $150,000 Sorrento today at Del Mar.

Victor Espinoza will ride the 2-year-old Storm Cat filly for a partnership and trainer Jeff Bonde in the Grade III at 6 1/2 furlongs.

One for the road: Therecomesatiger returns to an Arlington Park turf course over which he has had success and can spring a mild surprise in the $150,000 Sea O Erin Breeders’ Cup Mile Handicap.

Mark Guidry will ride the 4-year-old Tiger Ridge gelding, who has won two of three on the Arlington grass, for owner-breeder Charles Patton and trainer Tom Proctor.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Outofthepast in the eighth, Little Boss Chick, Is It A Trick and Kalookan Lessie in the ninth and Inesperado, Dark Sorcerer, Imitation and Blue Steller in the 10th.

Winners: (previous day/meet total): 2/48. Money: (previous day/meet total): $7.80/$257.20. Total money bet: $254.