Macho Again Wins Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga; Belmont Stakes Winner Da’Tara Finished Last

Posted on Sunday, July 27th, 2008

West Point Thoroughbreds’ Macho Again held off a late bid by favored Pyro to win the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) by a half-length on Sunday, July 27, at Saratoga.

The Dallas Stewart trainee ridden by jockey Julien Leparoux, Macho Again, who finished second in the Preakness and fifth in the Belmont Stakes before winning what is considered the principal prep for the August 23 Travers Stakes, covered the Jim Dandy Stakes distance of 1 1/8 miles in 1:51.60 and paid $18.40, $5.30 and $3.40. Pyro, under jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, returned $3.40 and $2.90. Three-quarters of a length behind, Tiz Now Tiz Then with jockey Miguel Mena paid $4.70 to show.

The fifth and last of seven starters to hold the lead during the 1 1/8-mile horse race, Macho Again overtook longshot Tiz Now Tiz Then with a sixteenth of a mile remaining and held off Pyro in a mild upset.

“(Macho Again) had a tough go from the quarter-pole on,” race horse trainer Dallas Stewart said. “Once he got free and kicked on, it looked like he was going to win — and here comes Pyro with that late run. And Pyro is a good horse, as you know.”

Belmont Stakes winner Da’Tara and Mint Lane engaged in a protracted battle for the lead to set up the race for a closer before both tired. Wood Memorial winner Tale of Ekati held a slight advantage turning into the stretch before being overtaken by Tiz Now Tiz Then.

“That was a suicide mission,” said race hrose trainer Nick Zito, who hoped the Jim Dandy Stakes would encourage Belmont Stakes winner Da’Tara to run in the 2008 Travers Stakes. “It didn’t work. I don’t know what that was all about.”

Tale of Ekati finished 4th in Saratoga Race Course’s Jim Dandy Stakes followed by Anak Nakal, Mint Lane and Da’ Tara. Alaazo was scratched.

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"Macho Again Wins Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga; Belmont Stakes Winner Da’Tara Finished Last" was posted on Sunday, July 27th, 2008 at 8:32 pm and is filed under Horse Racing Industry, Horses, Race Tracks News, Results & Payouts, Saratoga, Stakes Races, USA Horse Racing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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