The racing world has seen upsets at Saratoga Race Course earlier than, and handicappers labored diligently to discover a strategy to provide you with a shock choose within the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) on Saturday.
Jim Dandy win marks three Grade 1s in a row for Sovereignty
It didn’t occur, nor did it come near occurring.
Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Sovereignty lurked behind pace-setter Mo Plex, was taken vast after a powerful transfer by Baeza, then coasted dwelling below Junior Alvarado for a one-length victory.
The 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy is likely one of the highlights of the Saratoga summer time meet, and a steppingstone to the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) at the Spa on Aug. 23.
Alvarado, the go-to rider for Corridor of Fame coach Invoice Mott, delivered an outstanding trip aboard the highest 3-year-old within the nation, permitting his rivals to jockey for place earlier than asking his star to take cost.
And that’s precisely what occurred as Alvarado guided Sovereignty seven-wide at one level popping out of the flip and the Into Mischief colt responded by taking the lead and was hand-ridden to the wire.
Racing followers at a jammed Saratoga cheered his return to the winner’s circle as Sovereignty improved his champion-like resume to 5 victories – three Grade 1s and two Grade 2s – and two runner-up finishes in eight begins for homeowners Godolphin. Earnings rose to over $5 million.
Sovereignty: the most effective horse
Alvarado mentioned he knew he had the most effective horse within the compact area of 5 and simply tried to remain out of hassle till it was time to take cost. Requested if Sovereignty had extra within the tank?
“Oh completely, one hundred pc. I bought to about 75 %, 80 % out of him,’’ Alvarado mentioned. “We thought this was a prep. We don’t have to get every little thing out of him at the moment. That was the thought and generally these are the races you need to run, and I assumed we had been form of taking it straightforward coming into the stretch and simply hoping for his greatest and that’s what he did.
“Now, for the subsequent couple races developing, we’re going to do what we did within the Derby and the Belmont.”
Mott mentioned: “I feel he [Alvarado] was simply letting him discover his stride and he mentioned he was in a pleasant rhythm. He is aware of that he has a fairly good kick from the five-sixteenths to the wire, so I feel Junior was simply assured, and he was exterior, I feel he was letting all people come up inside him. They had been saving a bit of floor and really in all probability having a bit of higher journey than he was, however he was sitting on the most effective horse at the moment.”
Baeza runs second at 3-1 odds
Baeza, third to Sovereignty within the Derby and the Belmont, was second this time, maybe as a result of Journalism – second within the Derby, first within the Preakness Stakes (G1) and third within the Belmont – was again in California.
“I had a very good attempt. I rode my horse how he was comfy,’’ Hector Berrios, who was aboard Baeza, mentioned. “I stayed with Sovereignty and within the flip, I attempted to place the horse – change the lane – and my horse needed to really feel the different horse and he got here again and on the end he tried nicely.”
Hill Highway, the Peter Pan (G3) winner who ran ninth within the Belmont, was third, adopted by New-York bred Mo Plex, and Sandman (third within the Preakness), a better who by no means fired.
Travers Stakes betting: Sovereignty must be the favourite
As for the Travers, contested on the Derby and Belmont distance [this year] of 1 ¼ miles, Mott hopes to have Sovereignty in prime kind once more.
“We try to prepare for the Travers and that’s the foremost goal for everyone, I feel. The Mid-Summer season Derby, I feel the Travers is necessary to me,’’ Mott mentioned. “It’s a race I’ve by no means gained, and I might actually prefer to win it earlier than I take a look at [laughs]. We’ll give it our greatest go.”
Will Journalism run within the Travers?
Now that he’s again at Santa Anita/Del Mar coaching once more after successful the Haskell Stakes (G1) on July 19, Journalism’s subsequent begin is just not but set. He might be despatched East once more for the Travers and traditional matchup with Sovereignty, or he may keep at Del Mar for the Pacific Traditional (G1) on Aug. 30, the place he would go in opposition to older horse for the primary time.
Since each are being primed of the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Traditional (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 1, it would make sense for Journalism to remain dwelling with a vastly anticipated rematch ready till the Breeders’ Cup.
Magnitude, who returned to the races with a win within the Iowa Derby after being injured and lacking the Triple Crown races, might be a prime challenger within the Travers, too.
Jim Dandy betting: Favourite wins once more
For individuals who wager horse racing, Sovereignty was despatched off because the 1-5 favourite and returned $3 on a $2 win wager. Baeza, who was 9 ¼ lengths forward of third-place Hill Highway, was 3-1 and returned $2.50 to put. There was no present wagering.
Successful time was 1:49.52 over a quick monitor.
Lake George Stakes (G3) outcomes: Daisy Flyer nails favourite Traditional Q
Daisy Flyer ($16.40), owned by the long-lasting Calumet Farms, got here via with a closing run that ended with a neck victory over favourite and pace-setter Traditional Q within the $175,000 Lake George at 1 1/16-miles on the interior turf.
The race for 3-year-old fillies was the undercard stakes race previous to the Jim Dandy.
Educated by Rusty Arnold, the filly was ridden by Jose Lezcano.
“I used to be attempting to get her as much as be second and all of sudden she made that little late spurt, and all of it labored out,” Arnold mentioned. “She’s a filly we clearly favored to deliver her again from March 1 to now and run in a graded stake, however she had skilled the precise method and backed it up.”
Traditional Q, the 7-5 betting alternative below Jose Ortiz, gained the native Wild Applause Stakes final trip.
Successful time was 1:40.19. Reining Flowers was third.
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes outcomes, Calandagan Wins
Throughout the pond at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday, 11-10 favourite Calandagan gained the $1.76 million King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (G1) to earn an all-fees paid berth to the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 1 as a part of the BC “Win and You’re In’’ problem sequence.
Educated by Francis-Henri Graffard, the gelding topped the filly Kalpana by a size within the 1 ½-mile race, among the many most prestigious occasion at Ascot Racecourse.
Previous to the win, Calandagan gained the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud (G1) in June after ending second in 4 consecutive G1 races.
“I’m so happy for this horse,” Graffard mentioned. “It’s a unbelievable race. I used to be not anticipating the techniques in the course of the race. After I noticed Steady going very it was all totally different. Once they turned to dwelling my horse was nonetheless touring nicely. He lengthened so nicely. He’s an excellent horse.”
