2019 Jim Dandy Stakes Study Guide

Jul 25, 2019 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

An excellent and well-matched field of six will travel 1 1/8 miles at Saratoga on Saturday in the $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2). This important Travers Stakes (G1) prep attracted a cast of six sophomores, all of whom owns a previous stakes wins, with four graded heroes among the group.

Here is the field:

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Laughing Fox Career Racing Stats

8 Starts
3 Wins
0 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $388,018

Top BRIS Speed rating (96) in Oaklawn Park Invitational Stakes win

Owner: Alex and Joann Lieblong
Breeder: Chester and Anne Prince (KY)
Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Jockey: Ricardo Santana Jr.

Sire: Union Rags
Dam: Saskawea
Color: Chestnut

Kentucky-bred colt makes his first appearance since closing from next-to-last to finish fifth, beaten just 3 3/4 lengths, in the Preakness Stakes (G1). This one-run closer will appreciate the nine-furlong trip, as well as saving ground along the rail prior to unleashing his late kick. Regular pilot Ricardo Santana Jr. will be in the silks once again.

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Tax Career Racing Stats

7 Starts
2 Wins
2 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $426,300

Top BRIS Speed rating (103) in Remsen Stakes (G2) third

Owner: R. A. Hill Stable and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing
Breeder: Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider (KY)
Trainer: Danny Gargan
Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Sire: Arch
Dam: Toll
Color: Dark Bay

Grade 3 victor ran a creditable fourth in the Belmont Stakes (G1) most recently when forcing the pace throughout. The well-bred gelding is training in fine fashion in anticipation of his return and fired a bullet half-mile move on this course on July 20. The Kentucky-bred retains the services of jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.

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Mihos Career Racing Stats

5 Starts
2 Wins
0 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $133,960

Top BRIS Speed rating (100) in Mucho Macho Man Stakes score

Owner: Centennial Farms
Breeder: Wayne, Gray and Bryan Lyster (KY)
Trainer: James Jerkens
Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Sire: Cairo Prince
Dam: Feline Flatline
Color: Bay

This Jimmy Jerkens pupil flashed big ability in the spring and makes his second run off the layoff here in a tough spot. The sophomore colt ran evenly in the recent Dwyer Stakes (G3) and figures to improve in the first two-turn endeavor of his lifetime. Junior Alvarado inherits the mount atop the talented colt.

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Global Campaign Career Racing Stats

4 Starts
3 Wins
0 Place
0 Show
Total Career Earnings: $228,480

Top BRIS Speed rating (102) in Peter Pan Stakes (G3) victory

Owner: Sagamore Farm LLC and WinStar Farm LLC
Breeder: WinStar Farm LLC (KY)
Trainer: Stanley Hough
Jockey: Luis Saez

Sire: Curlin
Dam: Globe Trot
Color: Bay

This son of Curlin owns a trio of wins from four lifetime starts and looms a big chance on Saturday with continued improvement. The Peter Pan Stakes (G3) star was flattered when the horse he beat, Sir Winston, returned to annex the Belmont Stakes (G1) next time out. Lightly raced colt might have the highest ceiling of any contender in the field.

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Tacitus Career Racing Stats

6 Starts
3 Wins
1 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $1,233,000

Top BRIS Speed rating (103) in Wood Memorial Stakes (G2) win

Owner: Juddmonte Farms Inc.
Breeder: Juddmonte Farms Inc. (KY)
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Sire: Tapit
Dam: Close Hatches
Color: Gray/Roan

Consistently very good sophomore was last seen finishing a game second in the Belmont Stakes (G1) despite a wide voyage throughout. Juddmonte homebred is a dual Grade 2 winner who is among the most consistent horses in his division in 2019. The gray colt will be doing his best work from off the pace under the guidance of Jose Ortiz.

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War of Will Career Racing Stats

11 Starts
4 Wins
1 Place
1 Show
Total Career Earnings: $1,491,569

Top BRIS Speed rating (96) in Risen Star Stakes (G2) victory

Owner: Gary Barber
Breeder: Flaxman Holdings Ltd. (KY)
Trainer: Mark Casse
Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Sire: War Front
Dam: Visions of Clarity
Color: Bay

Classic winner is the lone entrant in the field to compete in all three legs of the Triple Crown , with a win in the Preakness Stakes (G1) being his biggest coup. Well-bred colt gets a fine draw outside of the compact field, and he has trained forwardly in advance of his return to the races. The durable sophomore will be pressing the pace while forwardly placed in the Jim Dandy .