Wicked Strong started the second half of his sophomore season in fine style when he turned the tables on Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist in the $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday.

Wearing blinkers for the first time for trainer James Jerkens, Wicked Strong showed uncustomary speed and proved unwavering in the stretch to defeat Tonalist by 2.25 lengths.

Jerkens said the $1 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga on August 23 is the next target for Wicked Strong.

"This is really great. I don't think Secretariat worked any better than this horse does in the morning," he said.

"I know the talent's there. It's just getting him to put it all together."

Wicked Strong surpassed $1 million in career earnings with his initial appearance at Saratoga.

After winning the G1 Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct in April Wicked Strong was well regarded heading into the Triple Crown but ran fourth in both the Kentucky Derby and 7 Belmont Stakes in which he finished in a dead-heat with California Chrome behind Tonalist.

After that Jerkens decided to add a slight blinker. The gear had its desired effect as Wicked Strong showed speed while pressing the pacesetting Legend on the outside before taking the lead leaving the turn for home.

Tonalist, ridden by Joel Rosario, presented a formidable challenge in the drive, but Wicked Strong took command in the final furlong to win impressively.

Tonalist finished 3.75 lengths in front of Kid Cruz with Kentucky Derby runner-up Commanding Curve fourth.

"I thought he was in a good position on the backside," Rosario said of Tonalist.

"Turning for home it looked like I could go by him, but he was better today."

Wicked Strong produced his third win from nine starts and boosted his earnings to $1,244,610 for his Massachusetts-based owner partnership.