Jim Dandy Stakes 2014 Contenders & Odds
![Jim Dandy Stakes 2014 Contenders & Odds Jim Dandy Stakes 2014 Contenders & Odds](https://i1.wp.com/img2.offtrackbetting.com/images/race-previews/bet-horse-racing-13.jpg?w=1217&resize=1217,380&ssl=1)
Las Vegas, NV – The Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes comes our way from Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York this Saturday, July 26. A nice purse of $600,000 will be on the line for three year olds willing to go 1 1/8 miles on Saratoga’s dirt track.
A strong field of seven have been confirmed for the Jim Dandy – race 10 on Saratoga’s Saturday schedule. Post time is 6:01 PM. Here is a peek into the past performances of all seven entries for this intriguing Grade 2 stakes -a major prep for the Travers Stakes later this summer.
Tonalist – Christophe Clement trained colt is coming off a terrific two race win streak – a career defining win last time out in the Belmont Stakes June 7 followed a great win in the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes May 10 after a second behind Constitution in an Allowance Optional Claiming at Gulfstream and after breaking maiden January 18 on that same track. He enters this week on fire having won three of his last four starts and finishing second in the other. Joel Rosario will be in the saddle of the 123 pound co-highweight and 8-5 morning line favorite from post 4 Saturday. He is on an Eclipse Award path – a win here could help him immensely with that lofty goal – he is 2-for-2 at this distance and the one to catch.
Wicked Strong – enters off decent consecutive fourth place finishes – in the Belmont Stakes last time out and in the Kentucky Derby after an eye-opening win – in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct April 5. Before that his career defining win was two substandard efforts – a fourth in an Allowance Optional Claiming at Gulfstream February 22 followed a disappointing ninth in the Grade 2 Holy Bull Stakes January 25. He has placed in four of eight career starts and has knocked on the door in his last two starts. Wicked Strong hopes to return to his Wood Memorial form this week with Rajiv Maragh aboard from the outside post as the 2-1 second choice and co-123 pound highweight.
Commanding Curve – Dallas Stewart trainee has a win, two seconds and two third place finishes in eight career starts and was last seen running a disappointing ninth in the Preakness Stakes June 7 after a very good second to California Chrome in the Kentucky Derby at 37-1 odds and a good third in the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby in March. His win came five back in a MSW in November. He has placed in two of his last three graded stakes starts and will be looking to bounce back from a career worst effort last time out. Shaun Bridgmohan will get the mount on the 5-1 third choice from gate 6 Saturday. He is cross entered in the Curlin Stakes on the same day.
Jim Dandy Stakes betting online at Saratoga Race Course with OffTrackBetting.com
Kid Cruz – Linda Rice trainee enters on the heels of a great two race win streak – the Grade 3 Dwyer last time out at Belmont Park July 5 followed a win in the minor Easy Goer Stakes also at Belmont Park June 7 and a somewhat disappointing eighth in the Preakness – back on May 17. Before the Preakness was he won two straight minor stakes starts – in his stakes debut – the minor Private Terms Stakes at Laurel Park March 8 and in the Federico Tesio Stakes at Pimlico April 19. He has won four of his last five starts overall and five of seven with the Preakness being his lone poor result the last eight months. Kid Cruz is expected to be competitive again from post 5 with Irad Ortiz getting the return call at 8-1 odds.
Cousin Stephen – is coming off an Allowance score at Parx June 16 for trainer Chad Brown after a sixth in the Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby in March and a third behind Vinceremos in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis Stakes February 1. Other career results include a fifth in an Allowance Optional Claiming January 3 and a maiden score at Aqueduct in his second career start November 7 – the only time that he placed in his first four race career. He has looked much better recently than the start of his career and will have the legend John Velazquez aboard the 12-1 shot from the rail as he looks for his first stakes win.
Legend – James Bond pupil has a win and three seconds in five career starts but takes a big step up in competition Saturday. He is coming off a good second in his stakes debut – the minor Easy Goer Stakes at Belmont Park June 7 after breaking maiden in his fourth career start and finishing second in two prior MSW races at Gulfstream. He has been OK in his career and hopes to carry some momentum into Saturday’s action. Luis Saez gets the call from post 2 at 12-1 odds.
Ulanbator – Ian Wilkes trainee has a win, a second and three third place finishes in seven career starts and is coming off an OK third in the Grade 3 Dwyer Stakes at Belmont Park July 5 after a good second in his stakes debut – behind Tapiture the Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes at 9-1 odds at Churchill Downs June 14. Before that was a third in an Allowance Optional Claiming in May and a MSW score at Gulfstream in March. He has placed in his last four starts overall and looks OK ahead of this weekend. Julien Leparoux gets the call aboard the longest shot in the field (15-1) from post 3.
Race 10 on Saratoga Race Course’s Saturday card with a Post Time of 6:01 PM.