Study Guide: 2024 Jim Dandy Stakes

Jul 22, 2024 J. Keeler Johnson/TwinSpires.com

A small but elite field has turned out for Saturday's $500,000 Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga.

The 1 1/8-mile race serves as an important local steppingstone to next month's Travers (G1) at Saratoga. As a result, three Grade 1 winners (including a champion) have entered the Jim Dandy, and an exciting battle for supremacy is in the offing.

Let's meet the field:

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Sierra Leone

Start(s): 6
Wins: 3
Place: 2
Show: 1

Owner: Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, Rocket Ship Racing, and Peter M. Brant.
Breeder: Debby M. Oxley
Trainer: Chad Brown
Jockey: Flavien Prat

Top Speed Rating: (104) when finishing third in the Belmont (G1) at Saratoga.
Total Earnings: $2,118,000

Sire: Gun Runner
Dam: Heavenly Love
Color: Dark bay/brown

Stretch-running Blue Grass (G1) winner Sierra Leone ran well in two Triple Crown races, finishing second by a nose in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and third by 1 1/2 lengths in the Belmont (G1). The Belmont form was flattered when the top two finishers, Dornoch and Mindframe, returned to run 1-2 again in the Haskell (G1) last weekend. There should be plenty of pace in the Jim Dandy to set up Sierra Leone's late run, so there's a strong chance this son of Gun Runner will return to the winner's circle Saturday.

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Seize the Grey

Start(s): 11
Wins: 4
Place: 0
Show: 3

Owner: MyRacehorse
Breeder: Jamm
Trainer: D. Wayne Lukas
Jockey: Jaime Torres

Top Speed Rating: (105) when winning the Preakness (G1) at Pimlico.
Total Earnings: $1,839,938

Sire: Arrogate
Dam: Smart Shopping
Color: Gray/roan

Seize the Grey faltered after setting the pace in the Belmont, fading to finish seventh. But he'd previously wired the Preakness (G1) and employed pace-tracking tactics to take the Pat Day Mile (G2), so we know Seize the Grey is talented enough to compete at this level on his best day. The problem is, there's a lot of speed in the Jim Dandy field, and it's possible Seize the Grey will be compromised by a destructive pace.

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Batten Down

Start(s): 5
Wins: 2
Place: 1
Show: 1

Owner: Juddmonte
Breeder: Juddmonte
Trainer: Bill Mott
Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Top Speed Rating: (100) when winning the Ohio Derby (G3) at Thistledown
Total Earnings: $394,850

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

Batten Down is on the rise for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. Last time out, he led by a clear margin at every stage of the Ohio Derby (G3), ultimately prevailing by 1 3/4 lengths. But the Jim Dandy competition is much deeper, and Batten Down's frontrunning style could prove disadvantageous against this speed-laden field.

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Pony Express

Start(s): 3
Wins: 1
Place: 0
Show: 0

Owner: Talla Racing, Three Chimneys Farm, and West Point Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Three Chimneys Farm
Trainer: John Sadler
Jockey: Joel Rosario

Top Speed Rating: (105) when winning a Santa Anita maiden special weight.
Total Earnings: $36,140

Sire: Gun Runner
Dam: Quiet Temper
Color: Chestnut

Pony Express impressed in a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight at Santa Anita last month, leading all the way to dominate by nine lengths with an eye-catching 105 Brisnet Speed rating. But can he repeat the feat while stepping up sharply in class? Pony Express is yet another runner with early speed, and working out a favorable trip could prove tricky.

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Gould's Gold

Start(s): 6
Wins: 1
Place: 2
Show: 1

Owner: Four G Racing, Lance Gasaway, and Magdalena Racing
Breeder: Rock Ridge Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Kenny McPeek
Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr.

Top Speed Rating: (98) when finishing second in the Ohio Derby (G3) at Thistledown
Total Earnings: $218,250

Sire: Goldencents
Dam: Goose Martini
Color: Gray/roan

Gould's Gold gamely chased Batten Down in second place at every stage of the Ohio Derby, closing some ground down the homestretch to finish 1 3/4 lengths behind his frontrunning rival. Gould's Gold has also placed in the Sir Barton S. and Bathhouse Row S., so he's consistently in the mix against stakes competition, but the Jim Dandy field is considerably deeper.

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Fierceness

Start(s): 6
Wins: 3
Place: 0
Show: 1

Owner: Repole Stable
Breeder: Repole Stable
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Jockey: John Velazquez

Top Speed Rating: (112) when winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita.
Total Earnings: $1,703,850

Sire: City of Light
Dam: Nonna Bella
Color: Bay

Last year's champion two-year-old male Fierceness has dominated the Florida Derby (G1) and Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) with fast Brisnet Speed ratings, but he's also run far below form to finish off the board in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Champagne (G1). If Fierceness brings his A game to the Jim Dandy, he's the horse to beat, but it's worth noting his Florida Derby demolition came with the benefit of an uncontested early lead. Fierceness seems unlikely to work out a similar trip in the Jim Dandy, which could complicate his path to victory.