For those who bet horse racing, a few intriguing developments occurred Sunday that could end up in a showdown for Horse of the Year between Sovereignty and Journalism in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
While handicappers are now focusing on the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga featuring Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Sovereignty, Preakness Stakes (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1) winner Journalism is headed home to California.
Journalism, the only 3-year-old to run in all three Triple Crown races, ran second to Sovereignty in the Derby and the Belmont, and a potential rematch in the $1.5 million Travers Stakes (G1) at the Spa on Aug. 23 was in the cards.
But Journalism’s connections may choose to keep their star colt at home and run next in the Pacific Classic (G1) on Aug. 30 at Del Mar – host of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on Nov. 1 -- when the two would meet again.
While we wait and see how the next month turns out, the 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy on Saturday (July 26) drew a small field of five.
Sovereignty is the likely odds-on favorite, with challengers entered are Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Sandman (seventh in the Derby, third in the Preakness), Baeza (third in the Derby and the Belmont), Ohio Derby (G3) winner Mo Plex, and Peter Pan Stakes (G3) winner Hill Road (fifth in the Belmont).
“We hope he has a good race and has a little luck. Anything can happen,” Sovereignty’s trainer Bill Mott said Sunday. “They’ve got to go around there, and it’s not over until those blinking lights say ‘official.’ They’ve got to hang those numbers up and say official.”
Sovereignty, ridden by Junior Alvarado, won the Belmont at Saratoga by three lengths on June 7. His most recent workout on July 19 was solid – 4 furlongs in 49.82 seconds.
While the track odds will be posted later in the week, Sovereignty will leave from post 5, looking add another win to his 7-4-2-0 resume and boost his earnings over the $5 million mark.
Baeza was beaten 6 ½ lengths in the Belmont, and trainer John Shirreffs says his colt is improving.
“I didn’t think he ran his best race in the Belmont,” Shirreffs said. Baeza leaves from gate 1 and will be ridden by Hector Berrios. “This will be a tough race with Sovereignty in there, but this is a logical place for Baeza to run.’’
Sandman, who leaves from gate 2 under Jose Ortiz, will be fitted with blinkers after a closing third to Journalism in the Preakness. The gray son of Tapit is trained by Mark Casse.
“He’s doing well, and it was good to see Journalism win and Gosger run well in the Haskell,” Casse said. “Obviously, Sovereignty is going to be tough to beat, but we are going to give it a try.”
Sandman is 10-3-1-3 with earnings over $1.4 million.
Mo Plex, a New York bred trained by Jeremiah Englehart made his first seven starts around one turn but stretched out to 1 1/8 miles last out to win the Ohio Derby on June 21. Mo Plex boasts an 8-5-1-2 record with $745,000 in earnings.
Hill Road, trained by Chad Brown, rallied to win the Peter Pan before his fifth-place finish in the Belmont.
Post time for the Jim Dandy is 5:41 p.m. ET.
Goal Oriented, third in the Haskell in just his fourth career start, is headed to the Travers on Aug. 23, trainer Bob Baffert said Sunday. He was a neck behind Haskell runner-up Gosger, who was a half-length behind Journalism.
“We’ll get him home. He’s flying home on Tuesday and then back [to the East Coast] for the Travers,’’ Baffert said.
Options for Journalism
As for Journalism, trainer Michael McCarthy will consider his options since the colt’s win in the BC “Win and You’re In’’ Haskell clinches a berth in the BC Classic.
“We’ve got a couple of scenarios to work out. We’re just going to enjoy this for now,’’ McCarthy said.
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.
