SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – While Belmont Stakes winner Essential Quality comes to Saratoga as the leader of the 3-year-old division, he will likely have a few new rivals to beat in order to leave here with that position. Essential Quality is on schedule to make his next start in the Grade 2, $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes here on July 31 as a stepping-stone to the Grade 1, $1 million Travers on Aug. 28. Even with the presence of Essential Quality, the Jim Dandy appears to be attracting a solid field, including the top three finishers from the Grade 3 Ohio Derby at Thistledown on June 26. Masqueparade won the Ohio Derby a half-length over King Fury, who nosed out Keepmeinmind for second. It was the third straight victory for Masqueparade, a son of Upstart. Trainer Al Stall Jr. said the Jim Dandy was chosen over the West Virginia Derby for Masqueparade in part because the ownership group, FTGGG Racing, a group of seven friends, comes to Saratoga every year. This is the first horse they’ve ever owned. Stall also believes the Jim Dandy is the right next spot for Masqueparade. “A, he’s on wickedly improving curve, which is good,” Stall said Monday. “We ought to give him a chance to see how far he can take himself. B, the ownership group talked about putting some money together and getting horses. They come up to Saratoga every year as fans.” Some were clamoring for Masqueparade to race in the Preakness after he won a first-level allowance race by 11 3/4 lengths on the Kentucky Derby card at Churchill Downs. Stall chose the Ohio Derby, which came up a bit tougher than usual with the likes of graded stakes winners Promise Keeper, King Fury, and Keepmeinmind. Masqueparade and Promise Keeper, the Peter Pan winner, hooked up around the far turn, and after Masqueparade persevered past him in deep stretch, he held off King Fury and Keepmeinmind. Masqueparade earned a 98 Beyer Speed Figure. “He traveled around there really nicely,” Stall said. “When the bulls ran up to him, he went on with it. He’s still a learning-type horse, but I was happy with him. We’ve been happy with how everything’s been going from Louisiana Derby Day to now.” Stall said Masqueparade could work Thursday or Friday, depending on track condition. Others pointing to the Jim Dandy include Weyburn, the Grade 3 Gotham winner, and Risk Taking, the Grade 3 Withers Stakes winner. Trainer Todd Pletcher is likely to run one among Wood Memorial winner Bourbonic, Promise Keeper, and Dr Jack. Meanwhile, Essential Quality had his first local work, breezing a half-mile in 50.46 seconds Saturday morning over Saratoga’s main track. :: Get Daily Racing Form Past Performances – the exclusive home of Beyer Speed Figures “For his first move over the track, I thought it went well,” trainer Brad Cox said after watching the work in person. “He broke off slowly. I had 13-and-2 for his first eighth, and picked it up a little down the lane. It was good for him by himself. He’s pretty easy on himself, he doesn’t overdo it and never has. It was very similar to his first work back, by himself, after the Belmont at Churchill. I thought he skipped over the track well. He’s super happy. He was rearing up after his bath, making me think I should have done a little more with him.” Cox said that Luis Saez, Essential Quality’s regular jockey, would likely be aboard for Essential Quality’s work this coming weekend. King Fury and Keepmeinmind also worked at Saratoga on Saturday. King Fury went a half-mile in 50.42 seconds over the Oklahoma training track, while Keepmeinmind zipped a half-mile in 46.33 seconds over the main track. That was the fastest of 50 moves at the distance.