Handicapper's Corner: Jim Dandy Stakes (G2)

Classic Winners Showdown in Jim Dandy Stakes

 By Robert Marks, They're in the Gate (and on Twitter @theyreinthegate)

On Saturday, July 29, 2017 Saratoga Racetrack, the Summer Place to Be, will be host the Grade Two Jim Dandy Stakes for 3-year old’s. The purse is $600,000 and serves as a prep race for the Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga in a month. We have a small field of horses but we also have this year’s Preakness Stakes winner and the Kentucky Derby winner.

Here are the participants listed by Post Positions, Horse, Jockey and odds:

1. Always Dreaming, K. John Velasquez, 1-1

2. Cloud Computing, Javier Castellano, 6-5
3. Giuseppe the Great, Luis Saez, 10-1
4. Pavel, Mario Guitteriez, 6-1
5. Good Samaritan, Joel Rosario, 12-1

Here is who we like:

Cloud Computing- The hot horse- this lightly raced colt has 2 wins out of 4 starts including the Preakness Stakes. Trainer Chad Brown chose to skip the Belmont Stakes so Cloud Computing comes into this race with a 2-month break. His workouts have been good and it looks like Chad has this horse ready. He has the higher speed numbers of the group, combine that with a rested horse and Chad Brown as your trainer and this becomes our Win pick.

Always Dreaming -This Todd Pletcher trained horse is your 2017 Kentucky Derby winner. Just like Cloud Computing, he too has been off since the Preakness. The pace scenario looks clear, both Always Dreaming and Cloud Computing figure to want the lead and I fully expect your leaders at the half mile to be Always Dreaming and Cloud Computing. Does any of the other 3 get these two late and of these two, who wins. I’m thinking after that Cloud Computing wins the battle and Always Dreaming will have to settle for place honors.

Giuseppe the Great-This is my lukewarm pick for the show spot. Of the 3 “other contenders” it hard for me to pick Pavel, win only 1 race under his belt, shipping cross country from California, to be in contention. As for Good Samaritan, longshot here at 12-1, this is his first dirt race after 6 Turf starts. The golden rule in my book is too never bet a horse to do something he never has before. This leaves the Nick Zito trained Giuseppe the Great as the show choice. His longest prior race has been the Grade 3 Dwyer at a mile and he weakened late, so he looks distance challenged. But I’m betting he has enough in the tank to outlast Pavel and Good Samaritan and hold on for 3^rd and at 10-1 that will help boost the trifecta payout.

Wagering/Betting Handigambling Bankroll: Here is our $80 worth of betting for the race

Exacta Box: $5 Exacta ($20)

1,2

Trifecta ($10 Box for $60 Total)

1,3,4

As always, watch the Board and if at the track watch how the horses look in the Paddock and adjust your bets accordingly. Good Luck!