Jim Dandy Stakes Preview: Saratoga Loaded Saturday Card (7/30)

The heavy hitters of the three year old division square off at Saratoga on Saturday in the Jim Dandy. The race is widely considered a prep for the Travers Stakes.

Saratoga Race Course- Race 1

Post: 1:05 PM ET; $105k Maiden Special Weight going 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 6

• #3 TATUM (5-1) should improve off the first start and gets the top selection. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #5 CAPTURE THE FLAG (4-1) debuts here and feels like a player in this spot. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Mcgaughey and Saez. The one concern is that the trainer usually is better after a start.
• #1 SPACE (10-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He goes out for the Mott barn and gets Alvarado in the irons. Those two are always dangerous.
• #2 SWISS GUARD (5-2) debuts here and seems well regarded on the back side based on the short price. That has to be heeded at Saratoga.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 1 – 2

Saratoga Race Course- Race 2

Post: 1:36 PM ET; $105k Maiden Special Weight going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 10

• #8 DECCAN PRINCE (6-1) should improve off the first start and gets the top selection. He goes out for the Maker barn and gets Saez in the saddle. This one may get the absolute dream flow of the race in this spot.
• #3 DETERMINEDLY (8-1) should improve off the first start and should be competitive in this spot. He has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot. This one has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #10 SON OF A BIRCH (10-1) is a price horse and feels like a fringe contender in this spot. The pedigree give this one a puncher’s chance to pull the upset.
• #2 RARIFIED FLAIR (10-1) is a longshot that comes into the race in really good form. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 8 – 3 – 10- 2

Saratoga Race Course- Race 3

Post: 2:10 PM ET; $70k Starter Allowance going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 9

• #8 ENDOWED (3-1) gets the top pick. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Clement and Ortiz. This one looks to have this group measured.
• #7 BOLD VICTORY (6-1) appears to be a major player in this race. He will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #4 FULL MOON FEVER (6-1) appears to be a contender in this race. He seems to fit well enough with these horses and makes sense on speed figures.
• #6 SOUTHERN PASSAGE (9-2) should be competitive in this spot. He shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/8th mile distance. This one will look for a bit of pace to run at.

Selections: 8 – 7 – 4 – 6

Saratoga Race Course- Race 4

Post: 2:40 PM ET; $52k Maiden Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 12

• #8 DEVILLY (2-1) gets the top selection. She has to be respected going out for the combination of Mike Maker and Luis Saez. This one has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip. This one seems tough here.
• #10 HOPE OVER FEAR (8-1) has a price that is interesting here. She makes sense on speed figures. This one could get out on the front and try to clear off.
• #6 QUEEN DE LA CREME (12-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. This one has races fast enough to be in the mix here.
• #12 DOOZY BATZ (6-5) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. Wesley War, Joel Rosario on the turf is always worth a look. The price is just a bit too short, but maybe the Kimari victory will get this barn rolling. The bloodlines make this one a player.

Selections: 8 – 10- 6 – 12

Saratoga Race Course- Race 5

Post: 3:12 PM ET; $100k Allowance Optional Claiming going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

• #5 BRONX BOMBER (6-1) gets the top selection. Given the speed figures he’s run, the 6-1 price is very generous in an open race.
• #9 BIG ENGINE (9-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He seems to fit well enough here on class. This one has races good enough to beat this group.
• #4 AMUNDSON (7-2) appears to be a contender in this spot. The race doesn’t appear to have too many need the lead types and this one could stalk and pounce.
• #1 BANK ON SHEA (9-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He looks to be a player on class numbers.

Selections: 5 – 9 – 4 – 1

Saratoga Race Course- Race 6

Post: 3:44 PM ET; $115k Allowance going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 13

• #1 MARVELOUS MAUDE (5-2) gets the top selection. She looks to be the class of the field. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #3 FINEST WORK (6-1) should be competitive in this spot. She could get a little pace to run into here and that makes her dangerous.
• #5 BLISSFUL (9-2) should be a factor. She shouldn't have trouble with the 1 1/16 mile distance.
• #6 WICKED GROOVE (6-1) could be in with a shot in this race. She goes out for the Atras barn and gets Prat in the irons.

Selections: 1 – 3 – 5 – 6

Saratoga Race Course- Race 7

Post: 4:17 PM ET; $88k Maiden Special Weight going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 13

• #2 HEYMACKIT'SJACK (7-2) gets the top selection. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Brion and Ortiz. This one has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
• #4 FEATHERS ROAD (3-1) should be competitive in this spot. He has the bloodlines to be a player. This one projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.
• #10 BUCKORTWO (8-1) isn't without hope. He makes sense on speed figures. This one will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
• #1 BUILT TO LAST (7-2) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He shouldn't have trouble with the 5 1/2 furlong distance. This one could get first run on the leaders coming into the stretch.

Selections: 2 – 4 – 10- 1

Saratoga Race Course- Race 8

Post: 4:50 PM ET; $350k Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 6

• #4 JACKIE'S WARRIOR (1-5) gets the top selection. He has been so impressive. This one may just run them all off their feet.
• #3 NY TRAFFIC (6-1) should be competitive in this spot. His speed figures are in the ball park with the top runners so he’s worth a look on the ticket.
• #2 WILLY BOI (8-1) isn't without hope. He makes sense on speed figures. This one goes out for the Delgado barn and gets Sutherland in the irons.
• #5 LONG RANGE TODDY (15-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He has some good races against top quality horses.

Selections: 4 – 3 – 2 – 5

Saratoga Race Course- Race 9

Post: 5:37 PM ET; $600k Jim Dandy S. going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 5

• #4 EARLY VOTING (8-5) gets the top selection following his win in the Preakness. He has races good enough to beat this group. This one goes out for the Brown barn who legs up Jose Ortiz here.
• #2 EPICENTER (3-2) is a major player in this race after his bid in the triple crown races. This one has the top overall power rating in the group.
• #5 ZANDON (2-1) returns to the races after a layoff since the Kentucky Derby. He has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
• #3 TAWNY PORT (8-1) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. He has been competitive against this type of company in the past and may be getting better as time goes on.

Selections: 4 – 2 – 5 – 3

Saratoga Race Course- Race 10

Post: 6:13 PM ET; $115k Allowance going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 16

• #12 CAPENSIS (2-1) should improve off the first start and gets the top selection. He may get the absolute dream trip in this spot.
• #3 ORCHESTRATION (9-2) should be competitive in this spot. He has to be respected going out for the combination of Brown and Ortiz. This one has proven to be able to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #8 RICOCHET (12-1) is a price horse and could be in with a shot in this race. He goes out for the Maker barn and gets Saez in the irons.
• #1 BAY STREET MONEY (8-1) feels like a fringe contender in this spot. He has kept good company of late.

Selections: 12- 3 – 8 – 1

Saratoga Race Course- Race 11

Post: 6:47 PM ET; $60k Claiming going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 16

• #16 MONARCHS GLEN (3-1) gets the top selection. He will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.
• #14 QUIET OUT EAST (10-1) is a price horse and appears to be a major player in this race. He looks to be among the classiest in the field. This one could get the right setup in this race.
• #9 HEALING (5-2) should be competitive in this spot. He comes into the race in really good form. This one will need a little pace to run at here, but if he gets it could be dangerous.
• #5 BARLEEWON (8-1) should be competitive in this spot. He seems to fit well enough here on class.

Selections: 16- 14- 9 – 5

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