The highlight race of opening weekend at Saratoga is Saturday's $500,000 Jim Dandy (G2), a major prep for the Travers. 1-2 favorite Bernardini was making his first start since winning the Preakness, and only 5 other 3-year-old colts entered to challenge, led by Belmont Stakes third place finisher Sunriver at 3-1.
Bernardini opened a clear advantage around the clubhouse turn, and was a length clear of the field through fractions of 47.36 and 1:11.33. Turning for home, jockey Javier Castellano asked Bernardini to open up and he did, drawing away to win by 9 lengths in 1:50.50 for 1 1/8 miles on a sloppy sealed track over 4-1 Minister's Bid. 24-1 longest shot Hemingway's Key was third while Sunriver disappointed in last.
