Jim Dandy J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

In Sunday's $500,000 Jim Dandy S. (G2), the big key question is what to do

with DA' TARA (Tiznow). He rolled in the Belmont S. (G1), recording a smashing 5

1/4-length decision that was easily overlooked in the aftermath of Big Brown

(Boundary) losing, but must now face the difficult prospect of backing it up

against seven rivals at the Spa. In one sense, it would be good to see him do

it. But we just can't see it happening. He won't be the lone speed and probably

won't be on the lead with MINT LANE (Maria's Mon) to his inside, and Da' Tara

hasn't proven to be the most gifted runner under those circumstances. We'll tab

the late-running MACHO AGAIN (Holy Bull).

Trained by Dallas Stewart, Macho Again still has much to prove, but we feel

that the gray colt will take a big step toward establishing himself as a top

three-year-old with a victory here. An allowance winner at six furlongs in late

February, Macho Again didn't handle Polytrack when making his next start in the

Lane's End S. (G2) at Turfway Park, but rebounded with a sharp score in the Derby

Trial S., earning a career-best 103 BRIS Speed rating in the process. The

Florida-bred colt made his next appearance in the Preakness S. (G1) and after

being steadied at the quarter-pole, shifted course to the outside and closed

well to easily finish second-best. Macho Again didn't fire in the Belmont,

checking in fifth, but he's set to make amends.

His Speed numbers are very solid, and we like the way he's worked for the Jim

Dandy, drilling five furlongs in a bullet 1:00 4/5 at Churchill Downs most

recently. Macho Again has experience over the track, rallying for runner-up

honors in his career debut last August, and Julien Leparoux, who guided him in

the Preakness, Derby Trial and his last allowance victory, will regain the mount

after missing the Belmont. Macho Again will get pace to run at, and we'll look

for him to be along in time.

Mint Lane is a wire-to-wire threat. The bay colt started to come to hand for

James Jerkens when finishing a close second in the Federico Tesio S. in

mid-April, and he followed it up with a solid second to Casino Drive (Mineshaft)

in the Peter Pan S. (G2) that netted him a 103 Speed rating. Mint Lane recorded

his first stakes win with a 5 3/4-length score in the Postponed S., posting 108

BRIS Speed and Late Pace numbers, and will enter the Jim Dandy off a smart 2

3/4-length win in the Dwyer S. (G2). He obviously shouldn't be taken lightly

with Eibar Coa.

PYRO (Pulpit) turned in a couple of impressive performances at Fair Grounds

this winter, winning the Louisiana Derby (G2) and Risen Star S. (G3) in facile

fashion, but went off form when testing the Polytrack at Keeneland, recording a

10th in the Blue Grass (G1), and then was eighth in the Kentucky Derby (G1). The Steve

Asmussen runner got back on track in the Northern Dancer S. (G3) last out,

recording a convincing 1 3/4-length triumph, and we won't be surprised to see

him carry that form forward here. Pyro owns good tactical speed and should be in

position to offer a serious challenge upon arriving at the top of the stretch.

TALE OF EKATI (Tale of the Cat) is a threat to run a big race, but we're

hardly a big fan of the Grade 1 winner. In the Belmont last time, he just quit

upon arriving at the far turn. The Barclay Tagg pupil is eligible to improve off

that effort, and he's got experience over the oval, finishing second in the

Sanford S. (G2) last summer. He garnered the Wood Memorial (G1) in his last

attempt at nine furlongs and appears to be entering the Jim Dandy in good

manner, recording a five-furlong bullet in 1:00 over the main track on

Wednesday. We can't dismiss his chances for it all.

Da' Tara entered the Belmont with only one win from seven previous career

starts and essentially stole the race on the front end. He may have simply

turned the corner for Nick Zito, with more top-level performances to come, but

we'll let him prove that to us first in this spot.

TIZ NOW TIZ THEN (Tiznow) will enter on the upswing for Eoin Harty, winning

his last three starts including his stakes debut in the Iowa Derby last out.

The late-blooming colt will be tested for class in this spot, and we're inclined

to take a stand against the late runner. However, the price should be right and

he's another one to consider for the exotics.

ANAK NAKAL (Victory Gallop) dead-heated for third in the Belmont, but this

one-run closer turns in too many clunkers for us to back him with any

confidence. ALAAZO (A.P. Indy) will make his stakes debut off a couple of

unplaced finishes versus allowance/optional claiming rivals.