Saturday’s $500,000 Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga is not only a key prep for next month’s Travers (G1), but also in part a major opportunity for several early-season stars to turn their campaigns around after recent setbacks.
Sierra Leone, a deep closer who lost a heartbreaker in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and was the beaten favorite in the Belmont (G1), will attempt to reestablish himself as perhaps the top three-year-old in the nation. Although unable to back up his earlier wins in the Risen Star (G2) and Blue Grass (G1) in those two classics, the highly-rated colt still has much going for him and, for what it’s worth, retains a 2-1 head-to-head record this season against Belmont and Haskell (G1) winner Dornoch.
“I’m hoping for a fair-run race where horses can win from anywhere,” trainer Chad Brown said. “I think the track has really come around and is playing a lot more fair for any type of horse a trainer may enter.”
Whether the track is playing to Brown’s liking or not, the expected pace scenario might still benefit Sierra Leone. However, there is a lot of talent that is expected on or near the lead.
Fierceness, unraced since retreating to 15th as the Kentucky Derby favorite, still possesses the single-most impressive effort by a three-year-old male this season, a 13 1/2-length romp in the Florida Derby (G1). However, last year’s juvenile champion has been inconsistent throughout his career, and has yet to win after experiencing legitimate early pressure.
“We gave him plenty of time after the Kentucky Derby, and I think it has done him well,” trainer Todd Pletcher said.
Seize the Grey, who turned in back-to-back wins in the Pat Day Mile (G2) and Preakness (G1), tired badly to finish seventh in the Belmont last out after setting a contested pace. In addition to he and Fierceness, the progressive Ohio Derby (G2) winner Batten Down and recent Santa Anita maiden winner Pony Express also possess early foot.
Trainer Kenny McPeek will not be represented at Saratoga this meet by his best three-year-old, Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, but is taking a shot in the nine-furlong Jim Dandy with Gould’s Gold, runner-up in the Ohio Derby and Sir Barton S. in his last two.
Earlier in the card, six older horses will dash six furlongs in the $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G1). Six-time stakes winner Skelly will attempt to rebound off a surprise loss in the Aristides S. at Churchill Downs in early June, while Saratoga-loving Baby Yoda is out to show his six-length win in last month’s True North (G2) was more than a one-off at this level.
Subrogate also figures to generate support. The lightly raced four-year-old has won all four outings going 6 1/2 furlongs or less, including a six-length allowance score at Aqueduct last time. The abundance of speed in the Vanderbilt might potentially benefit a veteran like Nakatomi, whose recent placings include thirds in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) and Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1).
