Wise Dan, back to the races for the first time since surgery in May for colic, has taken out the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Handicap.

There had been a long period where Wise Dan's future had been up in the air, on and off the race track, but he showed there is plenty of life in the old boy yet by narrowly denying Optimizer to take the Grade 2 contest and thrill the Saratoga crowd who gave him a rousing ovation on return to scale.

The popular Wise Dan will now head towards the Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland and then on to the Breeders Cup at Santa Anita where he will bid for a third straight Breeders Cup Mile.

"He'll build from this race, I have to think," winning trainer Charles LoPresti said.

"God willing, he comes back good. He'll be way tougher next time."

Jockey John Velazquez was understandably thrilled with the return, saying: ""He was really tough. He showed he has the heart of a champion

"It's incredible to have this horse coming back."