A week after his impressive time trial win for the $3 million All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs on Sept. 6, Triple Crown hopeful Jess Savin Candy is in good spirits. The gelding had a slow-paced morning by design at trainer John Stinebaugh's stable on Saturday.

"Other than trying to paw me, bite me or kick me, he walked," Stinebaugh said with his hearty laugh.

In coming days, Jess Savin Candy is likely to have a jog or light gallop early in the week and will stand in the starting gate a few times before the 440-yard classic on Labor Day.

"In the Thoroughbred world, it's train, train, train," Stinebaugh said. "These guys reach a level of fitness, and they hold it for awhile.

"I'll track him probably Monday or Tuesday just to knock the edge off him a little bit. I may stand him in the gate on Tuesday and Friday. Right now, physically and mentally I don't know how he can be better."

Jess Savin Candy, owned by Jim Streelman and Bill Dale, won the Ruidoso Futurity at 350 yards on June 13 and the Rainbow Futurity at 400 yards on July 25. He can join Special Effort from 1981 as the only horse to sweep Ruidoso's Triple Crown.

"I assure you this, he will be prepared," Stinebaugh said.

Post positions will be drawn on Monday.