For many who wager horse racing, a number of intriguing developments occurred Sunday that might finish up in a showdown for Horse of the Yr between Sovereignty and Journalism within the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Basic (G1).
Whereas handicappers are actually specializing in the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga that includes Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Sovereignty, Preakness Stakes (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1) winner Journalism is headed residence to California.
Journalism, the one 3-year-old to run in all three Triple Crown races, ran second to Sovereignty within the Derby and the Belmont, and a possible rematch within the $1.5 million Travers Stakes (G1) on the Spa on Aug. 23 was within the playing cards.
However Journalism’s connections might select to maintain their star colt at residence and run subsequent within the Pacific Basic (G1) on Aug. 30 at Del Mar – host of the Breeders’ Cup Basic (G1) on Nov. 1 — when the 2 would meet once more.
Whereas we wait and see how the subsequent month seems, the 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy on Saturday (July 26) drew a small subject of 5.
Sovereignty is the seemingly odds-on favourite, with challengers entered are Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Sandman (seventh within the Derby, third within the Preakness), Baeza (third within the Derby and the Belmont), Ohio Derby (G3) winner Mo Plex, and Peter Pan Stakes (G3) winner Hill Street (fifth within the Belmont).
“We hope he has a superb race and has somewhat luck. Something can occur,” Sovereignty’s coach Invoice Mott stated Sunday. “They’ve acquired to go round there, and it’s not over till these blinking lights say ‘official.’ They’ve acquired to hold these numbers up and say official.”
Sovereignty, ridden by Junior Alvarado, gained the Belmont at Saratoga by three lengths on June 7. His most up-to-date exercise on July 19 was stable – 4 furlongs in 49.82 seconds.
Jim Dandy put up positions
Whereas the observe odds shall be posted later within the week, Sovereignty will depart from put up 5, wanting add one other win to his 7-4-2-0 resume and increase his earnings over the $5 million mark.
Baeza was crushed 6 ½ lengths within the Belmont, and coach John Shirreffs says his colt is bettering.
“I didn’t suppose he ran his finest race within the Belmont,” Shirreffs stated. Baeza leaves from gate 1 and shall be ridden by Hector Berrios. “This shall be a troublesome race with Sovereignty in there, however this can be a logical place for Baeza to run.’’
Sandman, who leaves from gate 2 beneath Jose Ortiz, shall be fitted with blinkers after a closing third to Journalism within the Preakness. The grey son of Tapit is skilled by Mark Casse.
“He’s doing effectively, and it was good to see Journalism win and Gosger run effectively within the Haskell,” Casse stated. “Clearly, Sovereignty goes to be powerful to beat, however we’re going to give it a strive.”
Sandman is 10-3-1-3 with earnings over $1.4 million.
Mo Plex, a New York bred skilled by Jeremiah Englehart made his first seven begins round one flip however stretched out to 1 1/8 miles final out to win the Ohio Derby on June 21. Mo Plex boasts an 8-5-1-2 file with $745,000 in earnings.
Hill Street, skilled by Chad Brown, rallied to win the Peter Pan earlier than his fifth-place end within the Belmont.
Publish time for the Jim Dandy is 5:41 p.m. ET.
Travers Stakes Information
Purpose Oriented, third within the Haskell in simply his fourth profession begin, is headed to the Travers on Aug. 23, coach Bob Baffert stated Sunday. He was a neck behind Haskell runner-up Gosger, who was a half-length behind Journalism.
“We’ll get him residence. He’s flying residence on Tuesday after which again [to the East Coast] for the Travers,’’ Baffert stated.
Choices for Journalism
As for Journalism, coach Michael McCarthy will take into account his choices for the reason that colt’s win within the BC “Win and You’re In’’ Haskell clinches a berth within the BC Basic.
“We’ve acquired a few eventualities to work out. We’re simply going to get pleasure from this for now,’’ McCarthy stated.
The writing staff at US Racing is comprised of each full-time and part-time contributors with experience in varied features of the Sport of Kings.
