Bodog Beat

Da'Tara will race in this Sunday's Jim Dandy Stakes. (AP Images)

Sunday’s Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga is beginning to look like it will be just that. Several 3-year-olds that spent the spring and early summer chasing Triple Crown heroes Big Brown and Da’ Tara will attempt to get on the winning track in the Jim Dandy.

Big Brown has been working aggressively in recent weeks and appears to have forgotten his Belmont Stakes nightmare. He is on schedule to start in the Gr. 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth on Aug. 3, and if the talented colt shows a return to form in the Haskell, a start in the Gr. 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita could have the racing world buzzing with anticipation once again.

However, Sunday’s starters won’t be able to avoid Belmont winner Da’ Tara. New York conditioner Nick Zito’s charge will use the Jim Dandy as a springboard to the prestigious Gr. 1. Travers Stakes coming up at the Spa on Aug. 23 and will be joined in the gate on Sunday by his stable mate Anak Nakal, third-place finisher in the Belmont.

Leading North American trainer Steve Asmussen will saddle Louisiana Derby winner Pyro, a talented colt who had the attention of racing fans during the spring and was the early favorite leading up to the Kentucky Derby before losing his momentum in the main event. Pyro has regained his stature with a recent victory and provides some fuel for thought in the Jim Dandy.

Macho Again, runner-up to Big Brown in the Preakness has been confirmed a definite starter along with Iowa Derby winner Tiz Now Tiz Then, who hails from the barn of California conditioner Eoin Harty.
Recent Dwyer Handicap winner Mint Lane, on a roll lately for trainer Jimmy Jerkens, is being strongly considered for the race and Tizbig, runner-up in the Dwyer is a definite.

Barclay Tagg’s, Big Truck, who finished well up the track behind Big Brown in the Derby and hasn’t raced since, is being considered for the Jim Dandy but could wait for the Grade 3, $750,000 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer on Aug. 2 his connections report.

Get all your online horse betting in the Bodog Racebook.