9/4/2020

   11    SAR        The Dandy (GII)

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

Coming into this years KYD, I thought Groovy would be a major player… perhaps the winner.  Well, that didn’t work out but he sure is finding his best stride now.  Sitting just in behind the pace, the bay gelding, owned by Mb Stables, moved up to take over turning for home and went under the wire clear by a length, taking The Dandy (GII).  Shadow Man ran a huge race, pressing the pace and staying on til the very end, taking the place by a quarter length over Mad King, stable-mate to the winner.

The field of twelve loaded up quickly and were away in good order with Scafati showing his typical speed, down to the rail for Steak And Potatoes, Groovy, Class Edge and Mad King.  Just in behind that group, Shadow Man from the outside, Graveyard, Orion Nebula and Lord Of Peace.  Stark on his flank, then Bellamango and Wireless Headset widest of all and at the rear.

They made the short run to the clubhouse turn, moved around it and onto the backside with six and a half furlongs to run, Mad King up three wide to take the lead, Shadow Man on his outside and applying the pressure, another length back to Groovy on the rail and Scafati taken back and on his flank, a gap back to the foursome of Steak And Potatoes on the inside, Class Edge next to that one, Orion Nebula four wide and Stark on his inside.  Another length back to Graveyard on the inside of Lord And Peace, Bellamango out side and Wireless Headset continued to be widest of all and in the rear.

Making their way down the backside an now nearing the far turn, we had a half-mile to run and Mad King was in front by a length.  The trio of Shadow Magic between horses, Groovy on the rail and Orion Nebula from the outside were stalking the leader.  Another two lengths back to Steak And Potatoes with Scafati on his outside, two more back to Graveyard on the rail, Stark From the outside and Class Edge between that pair, then two more lengths back to the trailing trio of Lord Of Peace, Bellamango and Wireless Headset.

Moving around the far turn and to the top of the lane, they flew past the three-sixteenths pole and the dash for cash was on…  Mad King was in front by his lead was now a neck as Groovy was inching up with every stride.  Shadow Man four wide and gaining, Another length to Orion Nebula down the center of the track with Scafati on his inside and starting to regain interest.  Steak And Potatoes on the rail with a clear path, Class Edge with Graveyard to his inside, Stark towards the outside, then the trailing trio of Lord Of Peace, Bellamango and Wireless Headset.

Deep stretch and to the finish, Groovy moved up to take the lead just inside the furlong marker and was kept to the task at hand to win by a length.  Shadow Man closed well on the outside to nab second, a long neck in front of Mad King.  Scafati took fourth, then three quarters of a length to Class Edge in fifth.  Graveyard was sixth, Steak And Potatoes seventh, Bellamango eighth, Orion Nebula ninth, Lord Of Peace tenth, Wireless Headset eleventh and Stark was last in the field of twelve.

Groovy is a bay 3yo gelding by Marry Me Mandy – She Needs A Brazilian, by Condottieri, and he was bred in LA by Jive Inc.  Acquired by his current connections via private sale for $100.000, this was his third win from thirteen starts and he now has earnings of $706.440.  It looks like this one is running his best with big money in sight.  Keep an eye on him if he goes to KEE. 

$2 Mutuel Prices:

Track: Fast      Time: :48   1:11²  1:35³  1:47³
$1 Exacta: 1 – 9 Paid 65.90         $1 Trifecta: 1 – 9 – 4 Paid 721.60
Scratched: Anoush Command

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES