The $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) is the major local prep for the Travers Stakes, and featured a field of seven 3-year-olds go 1 1/8 miles on the main track on Sunday afternoon before a crowd of 38,748 at Saratoga Race Course. Overnight rains and a passing thunderstorm early in the card rendered the track officially "good". Northern Dancer Stakes winner Pyro was sent off as the 3-2 favorite over Belmont Stakes winner Da' Tara at 7-2 and Dwyer Stakes winner Mint Lane at 9-2.
Da' Tara was immediately sent to the front first time past the stands and he got the initial quarter in 23.51 while being challenged by Mint Lane on the clubhouse turn. Mint Lane took over the lead on the backstretch, getting the half in 46.94 and 3/4 in 1:11.82 while Da' Tara stayed stalked him from about a length back. On the far turn, the fast pace duel between them took its toll as both tired badly, allowing Tiz Now Tiz Then, who raced in fifth early, to come three wide into the stretch to take over the lead at the 3/16 pole, getting the mile in 1:38.01. Macho Again, who saved ground around both turns in third, and Pyro, who was unhurried in 6th early, both came wide into the stretch for their rallies. Macho Again surged to the front inside the furlong pole, and was all out to hold off Pyro in the final strides to prevail by 1/2 a length in 1:51.16 over the good main track. It was another 3/4 length back to Tiz Now Tiz Then third.
The Whitney and Go For Wand Handicaps on Saturday
The Diana Stakes and the Vanderbilt Handicap on Saturday
