Forte tops small field in Saratoga’s Jim Dandy on Saturday

By NY Hot List Staff | Friday, July 28, 2023

There may be only five starters in the Jim Dandy Stakes Saturday at Saratoga, but it’s a quality field of 3-year-olds from top to bottom. The stellar field includes 2-year-old champion Forte, who was the favorite in the Kentucky Derby until he was scratched on race day, along with Angel of Empire, who was the favorite while finishing fourth in the Run for the Roses. Even with the small field, picking a winner promises to be a tricky choice.

The $500,000 Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga, Saturday, Race 10

(2) Forte had his five-race winning streak, that began at Saratoga last year in the Hopeful (G1), come to an end in the Belmont Stakes (G1) when he had to wait 10 weeks between races after getting scratched from the Kentucky Derby forcing him to also miss the Preakness. He ran well with a long, sustained rally to finish second in the Belmont. He will have blinkers on after wearing them in workouts which improved his focus. (4) Saudi Crown is the only horse in the field without a stakes victory after missing by a nose in the Dwyer (G3) when he raced on the lead going a mile in only his third start. One of three in this race for Brad Cox he is the lone speed and that should help him handle the two-turns and the added distance. (1) Disarm was also a winner at Saratoga as a 2-year-old and then did not start until the Kentucky Derby trail. He was an impressive winner of the Matt Winn (G3) last month. (5) Angel of Empire was the winner of the Arkansas Derby (G1) and went on to finish third in the Ky. Derby and fourth in the Belmont.

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