Englishman puts his sprinter leadership on the line in the H. Allen Jerkens

The Cherie DeVaux trainee comes off a dominant performance in the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1), equaling Saratoga's track record; Local Knowledge and Deep Flame lead the opposition

SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).— Englishman does not need to do much to explain why he is currently considered the top 3-year-old sprinter in the United States. One only needs to look back to last June 6, when he blew away his rivals in the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) and produced one of the most stunning performances of the entire season.

This Saturday, back at Saratoga and once again over 1,400 meters, the Cherie DeVaux trainee will seek to confirm that impression in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1-$500,000), one of the marquee attractions on the spectacular Travers Stakes (G1) race card.

Englishman arrives well-rested since that 5 3/4-length victory, which he achieved after stalking a scorching early pace of 43s97/100 for the first half-mile. In the stretch, he took the lead with a formidable burst of acceleration and finished virtually wrapped up in 1m20s40/100, equaling the track record.

His performance earned a 115 Beyer Speed Figure, the highest number recorded by a 3-year-old during 2026 and the second-highest of the entire season overall, trailing only the 122 posted by Knightsbridge (Nyquist) in the Monmouth Cup (G3) prior to his triumph in the Pacific Classic (G1).

“He’s doing great, he’s been training really well, and he looks fantastic. We’re ready to see him back out on the track,” commented DeVaux. “I think 1,400 meters is his perfect distance, and I’m really looking forward to watching him run again.”

Owned by C R K Stable, the son of Maxfield has raced just four times, winning three. He debuted with a decisive victory at Churchill Downs, returned six months later to repeat with absolute ease at Fair Grounds, and suffered his only defeat when stretched out to a mile in the Pat Day Mile (G2). On that occasion, he finished second to Crude Velocity (Beau Liam), but his revenge was emphatic: when they met again in the Woody Stephens, Englishman left him 5 3/4 lengths behind.

In his first three starts, he had raced on the lead. In the Woody Stephens, he proved he can also stalk the pace and launch a drive, an added dimension that makes him all the more dangerous.

“He’s naturally a fast horse. He’s always going to be competitive,” DeVaux explained. “What he does at the end of the race is what makes him who he is. He just needs to find his trip, try to relax, and save something for the finish.” José Ortiz will be back in the saddle, breaking from post 4.

The main threat could come from Local Knowledge, who has been rapidly improving for Todd Pletcher. The son of Yaupon won the Amsterdam Stakes (G2) over 1,300 meters by a head following a prolonged duel with Solitude Dude (Yaupon), earning a 103 Beyer.

“It was a very brave performance considering it was only his third career start. This is another step up in class, but he deserves the opportunity,” Pletcher noted.

Also bringing a 103 Beyer into the race is Deep Flame, trained by Brad Cox. The son of Into Mischief comes off a 5 3/4-length victory in the Maxfield Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs, stopping the clock over 1,400 meters in an excellent 1m21s43/100.

“We’re excited about him. We gave him plenty of time to recover from that effort, which is why we bypassed the Amsterdam. Hopefully, he can deliver another big number,” Cox commented.

Solitude Dude, narrowly outmatched by Local Knowledge in the Amsterdam, will get another opportunity after regaining his top form. Saffie Joseph Jr. acknowledges the tough task ahead: “Englishman is obviously the leader of this division, but Solitude Dude didn’t produce his best race when they met previously either.”

Amberjack and Stickupwithoutagun complete a compact field of six runners.

All of them will have to find a way to get close to Englishman. The DeVaux pupil not only enters as the horse to beat: if he runs anywhere near that 115 Beyer from the Woody Stephens, his rivals will need to deliver the absolute race of their lives to challenge his throne.