Keep an eye on this exciting New York-bred when the Saratoga meeting gets underway.

Friend or Foe, who remained unbeaten in three starts by capturing the Mike Lee Stakes on Sunday at Belmont, is headed for the $500,000 Jim Dandy at the Spa on July 31.

He won the seven-furlong Mike Lee in a blistering 1:21 3/5, lumbering along behind the pace and then drawing off in the stretch.

Friend or Foe galloped out strongly another three furlongs past the wire.

The Jim Dandy, the major local prep for the Travers Stakes, is at 1-1/8 miles.

I checked in with trainer John Kimmel on Monday morning.

“I think he’s ready for the two turns,” he said. “He’s got the foundation and he’s a brilliant mover; a very manageable horse with tactical speed.”

Friend or Foe is owned by his breeders, Chester and Mary Broman, whose Chestertown Farm is near Friends Lake in Warren County.

The Bromans and Kimmel are also the connections of the thoroughbred Friends Lake, the New York-bred winner of the Florida Derby in 2004 who is the sire of Friend or Foe.

The Mike Lee winner is out of Unbridled Star, a daughter of champion Unbridled who is a direct descendant of the top class Taisez Vous, winner of the La Canada and Santa Margarita, both Grade 1 affairs at Santa Anita.

Kimmel has been excited since last summer at Saratoga about Friend or Foe.

He broke his maiden on March 6 at Gulfstream Park and hasn’t looked back since.

Friend or Foe has earnings of $103,800.

Travers watch

Trainer Ron Ellis may be thinking Travers following the victory of Golden Itiz in the Grade III Affirmed Handicap last weekend at Hollywood Park.

Owned by Jay Em Ess Stable, the son of Tiznow won the Affirmed in his stakes debut, and is likely to point for the Swaps Stakes on July 17.

Golden Itiz has earnings of $118,080 with a record of 3-0-1 in four starts.

His sire captured the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2000 and 2001, earning Horse of the Year honors following his first edition.

Tiznow is a direct link to the great Man o’War, and is off to a fine start at stud, with Travers winner Colonel John among his major stars.

Purchased for $240,000 as a Keeneland September year¬ling, Golden Itiz is out of Golden Tiy, by Dixieland Band.

He is a half-brother to Prioress Stakes winner Sapphire N’ Silk, from a family that includes the good New York sprinter Pok Ta Pok.

Although he got his winning form back with a return to grass, Paddy O’Prado joins this list.

One of the more accomplished 3-year-olds in the season leading up to the Kentucky Derby, he captured the $500,000 Colonial Turf Cup at Colonial Downs last Saturday.

The son of El Prado finished third in the Kentucky Derby at 1¼ miles, the distance of the Travers.

In the Colonial Turf Cup, he was a three-length winner over the likes of graded stakes winners Doubles Partner and Dean’s Kitten.

Right now, it appears as if his connections will keep him on grass, taking aim at the Virginia Derby on July 17 and the Secretariat Stakes on Aug. 21.

Paddy O’Prado sent his career earnings to $758,487, with a record of 2-2-3 in 9 starts.

His father is the sire of Travers winner Medaglia d’ Oro, the sire of Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra.

Paddy O’Prado is out of Fun House, by Prized.

This family includes Olympio, winner of the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby on turf.

The 141st edition of the $1 million Travers is on Aug. 28 at Saratoga.

Michael Veitch writes about horse racing on Wednesday and Sunday in The Saratogian. He may be reached at patelin@nycap.rr.com.