7/31/2021

  10    SAR         The Dandy (GII)

   $600.000      3yo     1 1/8m   Dirt        122lbs

We get a very nice group of sophomores set to go the classic mile and an eighth for The Dandy (GII), here at The Spa.  These big races normally make me migrate towards the big players and no reason to deviate today, so I put Proud Crown on top in this one.  Mb Stables is always loaded and this is a lightly raced 3yo that should make a lot of noise.  Six wins in eleven starts proves he knows how to get it done.  Let's head out towards the outer part of the gate and give Just Wanna Blaze a big shot to get the job done here.  He looked good winning the OH Derby (GI) and if the track turns up wet, it would make him more enticing.  I'll give Added Value a chance to get involved in this one as I really think he's better than the KYD/BEL races that he showed.  Those are VERY tough places to go looking for checks, but this is a smaller barn and you can't blame them for chasing the dream... I certainly can't.  I normally don't go four deep but Top Of The Crop is another than makes me wonder... he's lightly raced and looked so good in his last two - is he another wet-track beast?  Could be, but I'd watch him even if it's dry... he could sneak up on you.

As always, this is a race that brings out some big big horses and I didn't even discuss the filly... and you know she can just run her eye-balls out.  Let's grab a wobble-pop and head down to the rail for what should be one heck of a race.   

Here's The Field -

Only his fifth start and they go after the big guns but can you blame the barn?  Since the vet came by, he broke maiden and then just missed in the OH Derby (GIII) where he was the runner-up, only a half-length back.  Both of those were on muddy tracks, so they may be doing the rain dance here as he has proven success on the wet going.

Back to back wins coming in the Winn (GIII) and the IND Derby (GIII) last out.  He also won the Lecomte (GIII) and FofY (GII) so this is certainly a spot that he has shown a true ability to be a huge horse, and the barn obviously knows how to get it done.  He will probably get my $2 at the window.

Sold a couple of times as everyone was looking for TC type horses and when he ran twelfth in the Wood Mem (GII) they went in a different direction.  He was third in the Winn (GIIII) at CD and certainly is a horse that should be give a serious chance here today.  His best may be yet to come.

Very consistent type that has changed barns at the tune of $900.000 after a runner-up effort in the Paradise Creek and then in an Alw race at LS.  He’s always been around when they hand out checks but he’s also never faced graded horses so… we find out, don’t we?

He’s been on a steady diet of Alw horses since breaking his maiden at HAW, and that’s his only picture to date.  He will have to improve in a big big way to given this group any type of a tussle, but the barn is sharp, they know a horse so maybe he pulls the upset.

Some big wins under his belt taking the FL Derby (GI) but didn’t cause much of a stir in the KYD (GI) or BEL (GI).  If he can find the magic that he had down at GP, he could certainly be in the thick of things and with only seven starts, he’s another that could have his best days in front of him.

Nice win in the LA Derby (GIII) to get back on the right side of things.  He had a trio of less than favorable finishes after being sold for $700.000, and he’s another that could be trouble if he runs his best race.  A repeat of that most recent effort certainly puts him in the picture.

I love this filly… did I ever tell you that?  Yeah once or eight times… but I’m still wondering how dominant she could have been if they had followed the female side of things vs. going after the boys.  She just missed in the Gotham (GIII) and SA Derby (GI) and was only two lengths back when fifth in the KYD (GI).  I love this filly.

Nice job getting the win in the OH Derby (GIII) at TDN on the wet Cleveland track, and he’s another that never seems to run a bad race.  Even his “down-side” is a fourth in the Rebel (GII) and the SA Derby (GI) and a mifth in the American Turf (GII).  He could get over-looked here and be at decent odds, as well.

Took down turf Alw horses at CD in his most recent, and was in the hunt in both the FL Derby (GI) and Peter Pan (GIII) so his best could certainly land him in a spot to be a factor when they turn for home.  If you like the turf to dirt angle, he may be a horse for you to watch, as well.

Early Scratch

COZMAN   2 / 9 / 6-1         Willie’s Green Card     2 / 4 / 7        

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES