Jim Dandy Stakes At Saratoga Offers Travers Stakes Preview

The Jim Dandy Stakes was named for the horse that beat Gallant Fox in the 1930 Travers Stakes at odds of 100-1.

Bettmann Archive

The Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga is the biggest prep race for the Travers Stakes. This 63^rd running features a compact but very talented field of blossoming three-year-olds. Kentucky Derby and Belmont champion Golden Tempo will be absent but the second-place finishers in each of those races will be saddled with eyes on their share of the $500,000 purse. The race is named for the winner of the 1930 Travers Stakes. Jim Dandy bested Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox on that day and came home at odds of 100 to 1. Being that there are only five horses competing, we will not see odds like that in this highly competitive field. Run at a mile and an eighth distance, this grade 2 event is carded as race 10 with an expected post time of 5:44pm eastern on August 1. Let’s take a look at the entrants and provide a thought on each. The runners will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line.

1 Chip Honcho

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Odds: 3-1

Six of his eight career starts have been in Stakes company. Won the Ohio Derby in his last start and was third in the Preakness before that. Gets the services of one of the game’s hottest riders and trainer has won this race on three previous occasions (2009, 2018, 2022). This son of Connect might try and take it gate to wire, but we are looking elsewhere for the winner.

2 Asked and Answered

Trainer: Antonio Arriaga

Jockey: Jaimie Rodriguez

Odds: 30-1

Big longshot for a reason, he has never won a race. This son of Tapit has been quite busy as he will be making his seventh start since April 23. Has managed two second place finishes in those previous races. His only Stakes start was on turf and we realize if you are not Asked you will not be Answered. Don’t think it will be Answered here.

3 Renegade

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Odds: 7-5

This son of Into Mischief went off as the favorite in the Belmont Stakes before finishing third. Was a strong second in the Kentucky Derby and has shown plenty of fight while winning two of seven career starts with three runner up finishes and two third place tallies. Trainer has won this race a record eight times with the first coming back in 2000. Should be right there at the end.

4 Silent Tactic

Trainer: Mark Casse

Jockey: Luis Baez

Odds: 6-1

Six career starts have yielded two wins and four second place finishes, so this son of Tacitus has always been right there. Has not raced since runner-up finish in Arkansas Derby back on March 28 as injury caused him to scratch from Kentucky Derby. Tough spot for a comeback but his big closing kick makes him very attractive if you can get that price.

5 Commandment

Trainer: Brad Cox

Jockey: Flavian Prat

Odds: 6-5

Strong runner-up in Belmont Stakes after pretty solid seventh in the Kentucky Derby makes him the morning line favorite. Solid works of late have been encouraging and he gets services of one of the best jockeys. A willingness to engage in a fight makes him our top choice as things could get hot late.