Stellar Saturday Showdown: The Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course

The illustrious Saratoga Race Course will serve as a grand stage for the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes this Saturday. This prestigious New York venue will host three-year-old thoroughbreds to cover a distance of 1 1/8 miles on a dirt track, vying for a handsome prize purse of $500,000.

In addition to Saratoga, Monmouth Park in New Jersey, a prominent East Coast horse track, will host the Grade 3 Monmouth Oaks. This race, designed for three-year-old fillies, will traverse 1 1/16 miles on a dirt track. With Shidabhuti and Occult leading the charge, trainer Chad Brown has strong contenders to clinch the race.

Further out West, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, the spotlight falls on the $400,000 Bing Crosby Stakes. This Grade 1 event will accommodate horses aged three and up, competing across six furlongs on dirt. Leading the pack is The Chosen Vron, boasting a commendable 6.04 rating from Horse Racing Nation.

From Saratoga’s Jim Dandy Stakes, I am eyeing three promising colts. My top pick for the Win is Forte, followed by Angel Of Empire for the Place and Hit Show for the Show.

Saturday, July 29

 

Jim Dandy Stakes – Saratoga Race Course

Win: Forte

The Kentucky-bred Forte rounded off his two-year tenure with a win at the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland Race Course. As a three-year-old, Forte clinched two graded races at Gulfstream Park in 2023. He reigned supreme in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes on March 4, followed by a victory in the Grade 1 Florida Derby on April 1.

Unfortunately, an injury prevented Forte from competing in the Kentucky Derby. However, he rebounded with a solid second place in the Belmont Stakes on June 10. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Forte is now set for the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 26. Jockey Irad Ortis Jr. will be handling Forte from the No. 2 gate for the Jim Dandy Stakes.

Place: Angel Of Empire

Operating under the guidance of Brad Cox, Angel Of Empire has shown considerable promise. After beginning 2023 with a second-place finish at the Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park, this Pennsylvania-bred horse consistently placed in the money. Despite a minor setback at the Belmont Stakes in June, Angel Of Empire remains a strong contender.

Being a progeny of Classic Empire, Angel Of Empire has competed at renowned venues like Oaklawn Park, Fair Grounds Race Course, Churchill Downs, and Belmont Park. His third-place finish at the Kentucky Derby is his best Grade 1 achievement to date. Jockey Flavien Prat will be guiding Angel Of Empire from the No. 5 gate in the Jim Dandy Stakes.

Show: Hit Show

Hit Show began his career at Aqueduct Racetrack, bagging the Grade 3 Withers Stakes and finishing second in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial Stakes. Despite ending fifth in the Kentucky Derby and fourth in the Belmont Stakes, the Brad Cox-trained horse has shown promise.

The offspring of Candy Ride, Hit Show boasted a HRN Speed Figure of 104 at the Belmont Stakes, entering the Jim Dandy Stakes with a rating of 7.29. Luis Saez will be his jockey, starting from gate No. 3.”

Jim Dandy Stakes Bets

Win Bet on Forte: With a solid track record, impressive past victories, and strong performances even when faced with adversity, Forte is a good pick for a Win bet. His robust performance at Gulfstream Park and a successful comeback at Belmont Stakes make him a strong contender for the first spot.

Exacta Key Horse Wheel on Forte and Angel Of Empire: If you’re looking for a slightly higher risk, higher reward bet, consider an Exacta bet of Forte on top of Angel Of Empire and Hit Show. .

Trifecta Box on Forte, Angel Of Empire, and Hit Show: For those looking for an even higher payoff, consider a Trifecta box of Forte, Angel Of Empire, and Hit Show. This bet will pay out if these three horses finish in the top three spots in any order. Bet your Jim Dandy predictions for FREE by scoring a 100% real cash bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $300 when you enter bonus code PREDICT100 at MyBookie Sportsbook!

Also be sure to check out our lead haqndicapper Kenneth Strong’s Saratoga Daily Picks