9/5/2020

   11    SAR        The Dandy (GII)

               $375.000       3yo        1 1/8m Dirt         122lbs

The Spa always brings the best horses to up-state New York and you know the The Dandy (GII) comes up on the calendar that summer is just about over…  well, here we are, the first weekend in Sep and we catch a very nice full field for the 2020 rendition of this classic. 

So, where do we go today?  I took Mad King as my top choice today, basically off of his consistency and I think he is a horse that continue to get better.  He was a very game winner at MTH last out taking the MTH Cup (GIII) for his first graded win, and I think it is the first of many for this one.  Let’s drop down to the rail for one of Mb Stables’ entries and give Groovy a big look today.  He did get weary in the late stages of the Travers (GI) over this track last out, but he shortens up a furlong here and that could spell success.  There’s a host of big horses from the TC Trail, and you certainly can’t turn your nose up to any of those guys…  it looks like a great race so let’s take this one in.

Here’s The Field  – 

His only seasonal win came two back in the LA Derby (GIII) but he has been second three times in some very big races.  Tired over this track last out when fifth in the Travers (GI) and the competition won’t be any easier today.  He has speed so the inside again may be helpful, and the shorter distance could help a bit. 

One of my favorites on the TC Trail this year, but it just didn’t work out very well and his return to the races in the MTH Cup (GIII) wasn’t fantastic either, finishing fifth that afternoon.  He’s won the Lexington (GIII) at KEE so he can certainly run.  He will need his best today. 

Two big wins back in the spring and was this year’s KYD (GI) runner-up, but it’s been tough since as he was ninth i the BEL (GI) and seventh in the Haskel (GI) in his most recent.  Can he regain that old form and be a factor today or is it another long day at the office. 
 

Looked good winning the MTH Cup (GIII) last out, where he nosed that bunch for his biggest win to date.  He’s been on the board in every single start this season although he was racing with softer earlier on.  Still, you can’t ignore his current form and have to give him a serious look.

He’s winless this year and I’d probably overlook him if it weren’t the fact that he comes from the Mb Stables mega-stable and you can’t overlook any of those horses.  He was third in the Travers (GI) after some sold runs on the TC Trail including a fourth in the BEL (GI).  This could be his time to shine.

Woke up at a huge price last out in the Travers (GI) where he missed by three-quarters of a length.  His only 2020 win came way back on New Years Day n the Jerome, and that was in a different barn, but you have to pay attention to that last start.

It’s not every day you can point to a win at MNR and give a glowing review but his last out win in the WV Governors (GIII) certainly turned his season around.  His only other win this season was an Alw win at LS.  This is going to be a tough field to take down but he does seem to be in good form. 

Has struggled vs. graded foes of late, showing an eighth in the Dwyer (GIII) and a last place finish in the Travers (GI).  His only seasonal win came vs. Alw foes at CD and he will need his very best to be any part of this one. 

Seems to be hitting on all eight cylinders right now… three straight wins including the IND Derby (GIII) and the WV Derby (GIII) and he has four wins from seven starts this year.  If he can keep that kind of form here today, I would expect him to be a huge factor.

His biggest races came early in the 2020 season and he’s tired in his last two starts, a fourth in the Haskel (GI) and only beating one horse in the Travers (GI).  He will need to turn it around in a huge way or expect more of the same.

**   Early scratch   ***

Lightly raced but he sure does like this racehorse thing.  Three consecutive wins and only four starts, but he proved his worth last out taking the Seagram Cup Stakes (GIII) at WO where he got the job done in quick fashion.  His speed ratings say he is the real thing and we may see a star emerge here if the post doesn’t get him. 

His three-race win streak came crashing down when fifth in the WV Derby (GIII) but you may be able to blame that on the wet surface.  Can he overcome the outside post and get it back on the right track? 

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES