The 2025 Jim Dandy Stakes, a prestigious Grade 2 race with a $500,000 purse, is one of the biggest events of the summer for three-year-old thoroughbreds. Set to take place on Saturday, July 26, at Saratoga Race Course, this 1 ⅛-mile dirt race serves as the local prep for the Grade 1 Travers Stakes. However, it holds significance in its own right, attracting the top names in the sport.
Key Insights:
Despite the small field of five horses, the race quality is exceptional. Sovereignty, a dual winner of both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, returns to the track for his first race after the Triple Crown. He faces rivals like Baeza, who finished third in both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes, and Hill Road, a promising runner trained by Chad Brown who finished fifth in the final Triple Crown race.
In addition, two other talented horses, Mo Plex and Sandman, will also make their mark. Sandman, who placed third in the Preakness Stakes behind Journalism and Gosger, will race for the first time since then. Mo Plex, who skipped the Triple Crown but impressed in the Ohio Derby, is eager to test his skills at Saratoga.
The Jim Dandy Stakes is the 10th race on the 12-race card at Saratoga, set to start at 5:41 p.m. Eastern. It’s one of two major graded-stakes races of the day, alongside the Lake George Stakes for three-year-old fillies.
Here are the three horses to watch in the 2025 Jim Dandy Stakes:
Though the Jim Dandy field is deep, Sovereignty stands out as the clear leader of the division. Trained by the legendary Bill Mott, Sovereignty has been expertly prepared for this race. Mott’s extensive experience at Saratoga, paired with Sovereignty's solid performances at the course, makes this a strong combination. After a successful Triple Crown campaign, which included a victory in the Belmont Stakes, Sovereignty will be well-prepared to face this smaller field.
Check out 5 reasons why Sovereignty is your best choice for the Jim Dandy Stakes.
The son of Into Mischief has proven speed and consistency, with his only off-the-board finish coming in his debut at Saratoga. Since then, he’s excelled at longer distances, including in the Belmont. The shorter distance of the Jim Dandy should not pose a problem. Sovereignty’s ability to adjust his running style, proven during the Belmont, will be key in this race, where tactical positioning will be important. With a field of just five, he’s likely to track the pace and surge ahead in the final stretch.
In a short field, speed is a major advantage, and Mo Plex has it in spades. He’s no stranger to leading the charge, as he often races near the front. While other contenders like Baeza, Sovereignty, and Sandman have shown the ability to stalk the pace, Mo Plex typically sets it. He won the Ohio Derby in a stalking position but is more dangerous when allowed to dictate the pace.
Under the training of Jeremiah Englehart, Mo Plex has been gradually improving with each race, and he will bring valuable speed to the table in the Jim Dandy. Although he hasn’t faced the caliber of horses in this field until now, his pace advantage makes him a contender to watch. He won’t be overlooked by bettors due to his success in the Ohio Derby and his under-the-radar status in the New York racing scene.
Baeza has yet to win a graded stakes race, but he’s consistently placed among the top horses in major events. After strong performances in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and third-place finishes in both the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, Baeza has shown he’s competitive with the best in his class.
One aspect to watch with Baeza is his positioning in races. In recent outings, he’s often been further back in the pack, which has hindered his chances in races like the Kentucky Derby and Belmoakesnt. However, with a smaller field and Mo Plex likely to lead, Baeza will need to move closer to the front. The return of jockey Hector Berrios, who rode Baeza more forwardly in earlier races, could give him the positioning he needs to capitalize on his stamina and class. This pairing could be the key to a successful run in the Jim Dandy.
The 2025 Jim Dandy Stakes will take place on today Saturday, July 26, at Saratoga Race Course, with the race scheduled to start at 5:41 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. This prestigious event is part of Saratoga’s exciting 12-race card and is one of the key preps for the upcoming Grade 1 Travers Stakes. For those looking to catch all the action, make sure you're prepared—find out how to watch the Jim Dandy Stakes in our detailed guide to live streams and broadcast options.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
