Fine N Jim Dandy
Real Writing on Racing 💯
🎪 Another Chamber of Commerce day at the Spa! Sunny, warm with just a slight breeze which is also what we are looking at for the rest of the weekend though the heat 🔥 monster looks like it might turn the temps up next week.
🎪 As if Chad Brown didn’t already hold a strong hand heading into the Travers, along comes Artorius. The Juddmonte homebred by Arrogate handled a pretty good version of the Curlin without much trouble, cruising to a 4 3/4 length win over a rallying Gilded Age who closed well to be second. 9/5 favorite Creative Minister chased throughout and was one paced late, barely grabbing third from early leader A.P.’s Secret. Third choice Be Better never looked comfortable and wound up basically easing. Artorius was the recipient of a clever Irad Ortiz ride as he neatly angled him to the inside heading into the first turn, moved up behind a solid pace and continued to save ground on the second turn. He then got first shot at A.P.’s Secret, who had shaken free of the other pace horses, powered by him with 3/16ths left and was going well at the end. (95 BEYER & 115 TimeformUS fig for Artorius)
🔑Artorius sire Arrogate, won the Travers in track record time as a lightly raced three year old that had never competed in a graded stakes. There are other similarities as both debuted in April with good but losing efforts. (Arrogate’s first race was April 17, Artorius first race was April 16) Both returned to break maiden impressively in second start and rapidly improved in a two turn race before going into Travers with both being a bit overshadowed by bigger names in their own barn. Now Artorius has his work cut out for him if he is going to keep pace with his late sire’s accomplishments but it’s a neat story so far.
🎪 Golden Alchemist kicked off the day with a nice looking, maiden breaking win at 9 furlongs for the Brownie Crew receiving an excellent 90 Beyer. Race favorite Sidekick was floated a bit wide in the first turn but didn’t have much excuse after that.
🎪 Seanan went wire to wire in the second for Waterville Lake Stable, Chris Clement and Dylan Davis. The race was an off the turf maiden 40k claimer going 1 mile out of the chute. The most interestIng item coming from that race is that of the field of five, four went off at odds of 5/2.
🎪 Fingal’s Cave is a really, really good NY bred filly. She remained undefeated when taking the third race field on a merry chase as she lead from post to post, crossing the finishline close to 4 lengths ahead of the rest of the open allowance company group. I’d imagine that the Fleet Indian stakes for NYB 3yo fillies going 9 furlongs on Travers eve would be next for her. Dave Donk (his 3rd Spa win) trains for owner Alifyfe Racing, Jose Ortiz was in the irons.
🔥 Trainer James Bond has been on fire this week. He got his Saratoga meet rolling last Friday when Bricco scored in a 35k conditioned claimer. On Monday at his old Finger Lakes stomping grounds, he got the money in the NY Oaks with Galaxina. Friday Mr. 007 won twice more at the Spa, taking down the fourth with longshot Fontanafredda then scored in the 9th with the well backed On the Hill.
🎪 Acoustic Ave throttled a field of NYB 2 year old maidens, jumping to the lead from the gate, setting sharp fractions and being taken in hand late when the result was inevitable. The son of Macleans Music was a $200k OBS April purchase for owner Dean Reeves. Chris Clement with his second win of the day, Manny Franco was the winning rider. You’d assume the Funny Cide on August 26th, NYB’s going 6.5 furlongs for 200k would be a target.
🆓 Chartinghorsevalue.com has a quick look at the Jim Dandy Here.
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🏖 Del Mar has two big stakes today, the San Diego (Gr II) and the Bing Crosby (Gr I). Racing Secretary Dave Jerkens has done his usual great job putting together excellent card after excellent card. As for those two events…let’s say that a certain white haired guy might sweep both with Shaaz and Country Grammer though if there is a DQ in the latter, assume Mandaloun gets the money.
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🚫 Stick around for the race after the Jim Dandy as the highly touted $2 million dollar yearling and powerhouse first out winner Capensis faces winners for the first time. The Going in Circles Digest play is a no chalk zone choice, Colosseo to get the Cat man live if he is 5-1 or higher.
🆒 Flying Emperor ships in from the Finger Lakes to tackle NY state bred allowance foes in his initial venture off the reservation in Canandaigua. What’s interesting about him is the 4 year old gelded son of Soaring Empire has never been worse than second in 14 starts (14-6-8-0)
Day 13 (27 more racing days to go)
A.G. Vanderbilt Handicap Grade I $350,000 6f dirt
Kneedeepinsnow - 6 year old Flat Out gelding looks like good claim for Shirer and the Ten Strike crew who won a race earlier in the week. That one was a drop and pop while this spot against Jackie’s Warrior looks more like a flop. Santana has to send from the rail position and while he has some early gas, it’s unlikely it will be enough to shake the big horse. Appreciate them taking a swing though.
Willy Boi - has been much better as a four year old under new trainer Delgado’s program. Will stalk the probable hot early pace but Chantel won’t be trying to run down Pudding in this event like she did in the Smile (Gr III). A big contender for the runner up spot.
NY Traffic - has benefitted from concentrating on sprints though this is a huge move up in class from his two latest wins. He is a very good sprinter, every sprint he has run since May of 2021 has resulted in a TG of -.75 to 0. Joesph and Irad are hitting at 36% lifetime though the trainers Saratoga struggles (6% and dropping) gives one pause. Probably battles it out with Willy Boi for the minor spoils.
Jackie’s Warrior - rebounded off a dull Breeders Cup Sprint performance and subsequent knee surgery to post three impressive wins, including blowouts in the last two. Lugs 127 pound weight assignment but his high speed and ability to run fast early yet still finish strong should be enough to dust this group.
Long Range Toddy - looks slow against these and hasn’t won a race since 2019. For Stewart fans only, Dallas has been struggling (7% over last 90 days) recently though he has pulled off some crazy upsets over the years. This would be the biggest.
Doc Amster - not sure what the point of his entry is, especially wheeling back in 13 days after besting starter allowance foes over the Jersey Shore freeway that has taken up residence as the Monmouth Park main track. Has some speed and perhaps he will be used as a rabbit of sorts to help set up race for trainers other entry, Willie Boi? I don’t know but I’m pretty sure it won’t work. Could have been weighted at 109 if we were still doing those type of weights.
Jim Dandy Stakes Gr II $600,000 9 furlongs 3yo’s
Western River - Scratched
Epicenter - Derby and Preakness runner-up winds up drawing the rail after the connections of Western River chose to run in the Curlin. Rosario will likely push hard out of there to gain control of the race going into the first turn. Depending on the tactics of Jose Ortiz on Early Voting, the Not This Time colt could race on the lead which he hasn’t done since the Risen Star (Gr II) back in February. Given that Brown has intimated that he feels Early Voting is better with a target, it seems more likely than not that scenario plays out which makes Epicenter very dangerous. Asmussen has downplayed this race, sort of stating that the Travers is the real goal but that might just be trainers-speak.
Tawny Port - was a little late to the big boys table but has shown to be quality runner in decent KY Derby showing and subsequent Ohio Derby win. Style of running isn’t enhanced in 4 horse field as he will likely be in chase mode from the start. Not really sure if he can benefit from cat and mouse game between Epicenter and Early Voting unless they hook up early and soften each other up.
Early Voting - Jose Ortiz probably holds the key to this race with his decision making going into the first turn and down the backside. Does he want the front? Will he be instructed to take back and use Epicenter as a target? If that’s the plan, how much pressure does he apply down the backside? Will he potentially be fresh off the layoff and pumped up making rating more difficult? Does he react off of the 0- TG in the Preakness, tops in the field? If you have the answer to any of these questions, you have a good shot of solving this puzzle.
Zandon - was given time off after the Kentucky Derby with the later season races like this the goal. His late running style seems to be a disadvantage in this race as unless his barn mate pushes the envelope, it’s hard to anticipate fractions fast enough to sufficiently soften his rivals up to where his late run can catch them.