A Saratoga tradition: The Jim Dandy Stakes
The Jim Dandy Stakes, a Grade 2 race held late in July at Saratoga Race Course, is a cornerstone of the summer racing season there. Named in honor of the 1930 Travers Stakes winner Jim Dandy, this race has a rich history and continues to be a pivotal event for three-year-old thoroughbreds as a prep for the Travers. Let’s dive into the history, qualifications, memorable moments, and the current field for this prestigious event.
The Rich History of the Jim Dandy Stakes
The Jim Dandy Stakes, first run in 1920, is named after the 1930 Travers Stakes winner. Jim Dandy, who famously defeated the Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox at odds of 100 to 1. A historic upset, the race named in his honor has carried on the excitement and legacy of its namesake.
The Jim Dandy Stakes has been a proving ground for some of the greatest horses in racing history. Notable winners include Man o’ War, who won the inaugural race, and more recent champions such as Fierceness (2024), Forte (2023), Epicenter (2022), and Essential Quality (2021). The race is run over a distance of 1 1/8 miles on dirt. This year’s field only has five horses.
Qualifications to Run in the Jim Dandy Stakes
To qualify for the Jim Dandy Stakes, horses must be three-year-olds and have shown competitive form in previous races. Trainers and owners often use this race as a preparatory step for horses aiming to compete in bigger races later in the season. The field is typically limited ensuring a higher standard of competition. Invitations are extended based on past performance and earnings.
Memorable Races from the Past
Like every highly promoted race, Jim Dandy has seen its share of memorable ones. In 1930 when Jim Dandy, the namesake of the race, pulled off his legendary upset against Gallant Fox. Gallant Fox fresh off winning the Triple Crown was the heavy favorite. Jim Dandy went off at a mere 100 – 1 odds. Jim Dandy completely dominated the race winning by more than 8 lengths vs one of the all time greats. This gave birth to his namesake running. In 2011, Stay Thirsty’s victory in the Jim Dandy Stakes was a prelude to his impressive performance in the Travers Stakes, where he went on to win.
Another memorable race was in 2021 when Essential Quality, who had previously won the Kentucky Derby, added the Jim Dandy Stakes to his resume. His performance in the Jim Dandy was a testament to his versatility and class, further solidifying his status as one of the top horses of his generation.
The 2025 Jim Dandy Stakes: Current Field and Odds
The 2025 Jim Dandy Stakes promises to be an exciting affair with a field of five talented three-year-olds. The race is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 26, 2025 post time 5:41 ET.
Sovereignty (Odds: 2/5)
Sovereignty is the heavy favorite. He won both the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes. Junior Alvarado has had a fantastic run this year and no reason to think it is over. Sovereignty’s most recent workout ran a time of 4 furlongs in 49.82 seconds. He is in peak form.
Baeza (Odds: 3/1)
Baeza is another strong contender in the race. He has shown consistent form and has experience running in graded stakes races. His performance in the Triple Crown series, albeit admirable, leaves trainer John Shirreffs wanting more. Word is Flavien Prat is said to be unavailable for this race and Hector I. Berrios will commandeer Baeza. Could this be Baeza’s time to shine?
Sandman (Odds: 6/1)
Sandman, who finished third in the Preakness Stakes, will be making his debut in the Jim Dandy Stakes. He is fitted with blinkers for the first time, a move his trainer hopes will ignite a new gear. Trainer Mark Casse has been quoted as saying “I don’t know if you ever look forward to facing Sovereignty. He is a very good horse, and, so far, he has shown his superiority over us. I love the challenge.”
Mo Plex (Odds: 10/1)
Jeremiah Englehart, trainer, knows the path to the finish line is daunting here. This race is a step up for Mo Plex. He feels the smaller field will benefit Mo Plex, being jockeyed by Manuel Franco. This was not the first choice for the NY bred to run. An outbreak of the strangles placed Mo Plex on a two week quarantine. This was the next best option for the horse. Surely in a large field, Mo Plex would be a considerable long shot.
Hill Road (Odds: 12/1)
Coming from Ireland, Hill Road’s performance has been fairly strong although in the Belmont Stakes finished comfortably off the lead outside the money. It will take a strong showing and maybe the small field works to his advantage here. Irad Ortiz Jr. has his work cut out for himself here.
We see Sovereignty winning this cleanly and would not be surprised if the field finishes in odds order.
The Jim Dandy Stakes continues to be a highlight of the Saratoga racing season, offering a blend of history, excitement, and high-stakes competition. Tomorrow, all eyes in the thoroughbred world will be on Saratoga to see which three-year-old comes out on top. Perhaps the biggest intrigue will be if Junior Alvarado is not first across the finish line.
