Happy Jim Dandy Day! 

Compact field of five runners in the Jim Dandy led Commandment, who was runner-up in the Belmont and won the Florida Derby along with Renegade who won the Arkansas Derby and was a narrow runner-up in the Kentucky Derby. Too bad we don’t have Derby/Belmont winner Golden Tempo in the field as he will now train up to the Travers following a minor illness. 

Trivia Question: The Jim Dandy is currently run at nine furlongs. But that was not always the case. What other distances has it been contested at? 

Race 6 The Saratoga Special Stakes – Grade II 

Six and One Half Furlongs on the Dirt for Two Year Olds 

1. How’s Al Today:Broke his maiden first out for Riley Mott as this Munnings colt beat a field of eleven and came from mid-pack to get the win (66 Beyer). Saez will have to work out a trip from this inside post as there is speed to his outside. Will need to be faster second time out to win, but could pick up the pieces. Exotics.  
2. Rasasi:Broke his maiden going four and a half furlongs at Gulfstream at first asking and then went to the Sanford where he broke poorly and didn’t show much (46 Beyer). Zayas takes over for Gaffalione who is at Colonial Downs today. Passing. 
3. Twinkle Town:Romped in his debut over a sloppy Churchill track where he went right to the front and drew off late (78 Beyer). Bullet work going 4F in 46.2 two weeks ago – yowzah! Jose Ortiz takes over the reins.  Contender. 
4. Booked:Broke his maiden in June over this track (77 Beyer), then came back in the Sanford and romped as he went right to the front and won by six lengths even though he was on his wrong lead in the stretch (85 Beyer). Only horse in the field to have defeated winners as Yaupon bred two year olds continue to excel. Win candidate. 
5. Uncle Kef:Kevin Rice shipsthis Uncle Chuck (Uncle Mo) colt in from Presque Isle Downs for his first dirt start after two races on the all-weather. In his first career start at Presque Isle he broke his maiden and then went to Woodbine for the Victoria Stakes where he was a no impact fifth (59 Beyer). Irad takes over. Needs to show it on the dirt. Don’t think so. 
6. Flight Command:Flightline colt was dominant on debut at Aqueductas he broke on top and never looked back winning by ten lengths (84 Beyer). Outside post should help him have a clean trip as he can either sit off the hip of inside speed or go to the front. As of Friday morning Rudy Rodriguez is winless at the meet so far – but he did win a couple recently at Finger Lakes, including the New York Derby. Prat gets aboard for Franco who is at the Arlington Million. The Pick. 

Picks 6-4-3-1  

Race 10 The Jim Dandy Stakes – Grade II 

One Mile and One Furlong on the Dirt for Three Year Olds 

1. Chip Honcho:Asmussen trainee runs here off a win the Ohio Derby where got up late (96 Beyer) to catch perennial maiden Ocelli in the final sixteenth. Prior to that he was an OK third in the Preakness (89 Beyer). He should  have the early lead against this field so expect Jose Ortiz to go from the gate and set the pace. He could get loose on the lead and if he does, he could take them all the way. Hits the board. 
2. Asked and Answered:Still a maiden aftersix starts and now takes on graded stakes competition. Runs here off a maiden claiming turf race going a mile where he finished seventh. Best dirt Beyer is a 76. Lasix OFF. Passing. 
3. Renegade:In the Belmont Stakes he was a clear third as Golden Tempo and Commandment (91 Beyer) who were better in the final eighth. In the Kentucky Derby he came from well off the pace to battle Golden Tempo to the wire as he just missed (95 Beyer). Should be coming from the back of the field – but the race shape is not likely to present a strong pace scenario to close into. Small slice of the pie. 
4. Silent Tactic:Runs here off a freshening after a foot bruise kept him out of the Triple Crown races. Last we saw him he was second in the Arkansas Derby in March (91 Beyer) where Renegade out finished him. He contested all four Oaklawn Park based Kentucky Derby preps including the Rebel where he lost by a nose (91 Beyer). He did win the Southwest Stakes back in February as he came from the clouds (88 Beyer). Versatile runner has hit the board in all seven career starts. Saez takes over. Will need to improve to contend.   
5. Commandment:Had no excuse in the Belmont Stakes as he was simply out finished by Golden Tempo (97 Beyer), but he ran a great race nonetheless. In the Kentucky Derby he ran on evenly finishing seventh (88 Beyer) as he was too far and back early and had to make a big middle move to get into contention which cost him in the lane. Won the Fountain of Youth (101 Beyer) and the Florida Derby (101 Beyer) earlier this year. Blinkers go ON which signals he should be closer today. His best two races were at 8.5 and 9 furlongs so this turnback should suit. Prat, who was aboard for the Florida Derby win, replaces Johnny V. who is at Colonial for the Arlington Million. The Pick. 

Picks 5-1-3 

Trivia Answer: Before 1971 the Jim Dandy was run at one mile. In 1971 only it was run at seven furlongs.