Jim Dandy Stakes: A Key Prep for the Travers Stakes
The 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga is the traditional prep for the 1 1/4-mile Travers Stakes, a Grade 1 stakes that often determines the 3-year-old title. The Jim Dandy Stakes is a Grade 2, but its last four winners (Forte, Epicenter, Essential Quality, Mystic Guide) were stars, and Saturday’s renewal also has a strong Grade 1 vibe.
Rarely does a Grade 2 feature three Grade 1 winners. Fierceness has done it twice (Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, Florida Derby), and Seize the Grey (Preakness) and Sierra Leone (Blue Grass) each has one major trophy.
The Jim Dandy Stakes is more intriguing than last week’s Haskell Stakes, a two-horse race between winner Dornoch and Mindframe, a Belmont Stakes rerun. They’ll await Jim Dandy Stakes alumni in the Aug. 24 Travers.
For those who bet horse racing, here’s a horse-by-horse breakdown from the rail out, with trainer, jockey and odds in parentheses:
1. SIERRA LEONE
(Chad Brown, Flavien Prat, even money)
Sierra Leone missed by a nose in the Kentucky Derby, and the deep closer never has run a bad race. Was 5-for-5 in the exacta before a rough-trip third last out in the Belmont on a speed-favoring Saratoga track. The lone closer in a field packed with speed should get a ground-saving trip under Flavien Prat, who’s riding brilliantly.
Betting verdict: Win contender
2. SEIZE THE GREY
(D. Wayne Lukas, Jaime Torres, 6-1)
Faded badly in the Belmont after setting and pressing a hot pace. The off day can be forgiven considering it was his third race in five weeks after upset wins in the Pat Day Mile and Preakness. Likely to be a pace casualty again.
Betting verdict: Toss
3. BATTEN DOWN
(Bill Mott, Junior Alvarado, 5-1)
Frontrunning hero of the Grade 3 Ohio Derby makes a quantum leap in class against three Triple Crown veterans. Won his last two by leading all the way under no pressure, which won’t happen here. In front as far as he goes before backing up.
Betting verdict: Toss
4. PONY EXPRESS
(John Sadler, Joel Rosario, 20-1)
Comes off nine-length runaway in his third start against maidens and couldn’t have found a tougher spot for his stakes debut. Too much, too soon.
Betting verdict: Toss
5. GOULD’S GOLD
(Kenny McPeek, Brian Hernandez, Jr., 15-1)
The guys who swept the Kentucky Oaks and Derby take a shot with 1-for-6 colt who’s 0-for-3 in stakes. Could benefit by plodding behind likely hot fractions, so a trifecta possibility at big odds if the pace collapses.
Betting verdict: Won’t win, but use underneath
6. FIERCENESS
(Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez, 9-5)
Which Fierceness will show up, the world beater or the one who can’t handle adversity? Derby dud will boost his odds, and he’ll be right there if Johnny V. can replicate the stalking trip that set up their Breeders’ Cup Juvenile romp. Ultimate in-and-outer alternates runaways with flops, and he’s due for a good one. Can win by tracking pace and getting first run on Sierra Leone.
Betting verdict: Win contender
The picks: 1 Fierceness 2 Sierra Leone 3 Gould’s Gold
