The $500,000, Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes Introduced by Mohegan Solar at Saratoga Race Course isn’t a Grade 1 race, however the current roster of winners reads like “who’s who” of top-class racehorses. The final three editions have been gained by previous or future champions Forte (2023), Epicenter (2022), and Important High quality (2021), whereas the 2020 version went to future Dubai World Cup winner Mystic Information.
The 2024 Jim Dandy this Saturday seems primed to provide a winner of comparable acclaim. Though solely six horses had been entered within the 1 1/8-mile race, three of them are Grade 1 winners, together with one who’s a champion and one who’s a Triple Crown race winner. The small subject however, the Jim Dandy is shaping up as probably the most thrilling race of the weekend.
Any evaluation should start with #6 Fierceness, the good however inconsistent champion 2-year-old male of 2023. On his greatest day, Fierceness is improbable — bear in mind his championship-defining victory within the 2023 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Introduced by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, during which he crushed Grade 1 winners Muth, Locked, and Timberlake by 6 1/4 lengths? And don’t neglect about his demolition of the Grade 1 Curlin Florida Derby Introduced by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa, during which he defeated eight opponents by a record-breaking 13 1/2 lengths.
However Fierceness doesn’t all the time produce his top-tier effort. Within the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes final fall, he began as a heavy favourite however light badly to complete seventh. In between the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and Florida Derby, he was crushed to 3rd place within the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes. And although Fierceness began as the favourite within the Kentucky Derby Introduced by Woodford Reserve, he light after vying for the early result in end a distant fifteenth.
It looks like when Fierceness is ready to work out a cushty journey, both on the lead or racing near an affordable tempo, he’s capable of produce a huge efficiency. In all three of his defeats, he obtained off to distressed begins and by no means appeared to recuperate. He overcame hopping firstly fairly properly within the Kentucky Derby however wound up partaking in a fast tempo as a substitute of settling down, and that will have been his undoing.
This presents an issue for Fierceness as a result of the Jim Dandy subject is completely loaded with pace. #2 Seize the Gray led all the best way to win the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths earlier than fading from a pacesetting place to complete seventh within the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes. #3 Batten Down has scored each of his victories in front-running vogue, together with when setting a fast tempo within the Grade 3 Ohio Derby. #4 Pony Categorical led all the best way to win a quick 1 1/16-mile maiden particular weight at Santa Anita Park by 9 lengths, and Ohio Derby runner-up #5 Gould’s Gold has carried out his greatest work when racing near the tempo.
In different phrases, the Jim Dandy appears very prone to unfold at a quick tempo, making it troublesome for Fierceness to safe a simple lead via modest fractions like he did within the Florida Derby. Even a urgent journey like he employed within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile could place Fierceness too near a scorching tempo. And if Fierceness fails to interrupt alertly, that would additional exacerbate the problem of securing a good journey.
For all these causes, #1 Sierra Leone looms because the probably winner of the Jim Dandy. He’s not fairly as completed as Fierceness, and he’s a bit slower when it comes to Beyer Pace Figures and Brisnet Pace scores. However as the one late runner in a subject full of pace, Sierra Leone figures to obtain an ideal setup.
Sierra Leone has put collectively a wonderful 3-year-old marketing campaign. He began the 12 months by launching massive rallies to win the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes and Grade 1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes. Then within the Kentucky Derby, he rallied boldly regardless of drifting in via the stretch to complete second by a nostril in opposition to ground-saving winner Mystik Dan. Sierra Leone additionally ran properly within the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes, closing to complete third by 1 1/2 lengths behind winner Dornoch and Mindframe, who got here again to complete first and second within the Grade 1 NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes.
It’s potential racing 1 1/4 miles within the Kentucky Derby and Belmont stretched the boundaries of Sierra Leone’s stamina only a bit. Chopping again barely to 1 1/8 miles for the Jim Dandy could sharpen his ending kick. Regardless, if a quick tempo unfolds as anticipated this Saturday, Sierra Leone ought to have each probability to reel within the leaders late and rating his third graded stakes victory.
We suggest taking an easy method to betting the Jim Dandy. Since Fierceness figures to draw loads of betting assist, the percentages on Sierra Leone ought to be respectable even on this small subject. A win guess should generate a suitable return on funding.
Bettors investing a bit extra capital must also contemplate betting a small exacta utilizing Fierceness for second place.
Wagering Technique on a $10 Price range
$10 to win on #1 Sierra Leone
What to say on the betting window: Saratoga, Race 10, $10 to win on #1 Sierra Leone
Wagering Technique on a $30 Price range
$25 to win on #1 Sierra Leone
What to say on the betting window: Saratoga, Race 10, $10 to win on #1 Sierra Leone
$5 exacta: 1 with 6
What to say on the betting window: Saratoga, Race 10, $10 exacta 1 with 6
Good luck, and benefit from the race!
