Making his first start since a dull effort in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), favored Alpha went straight to the lead and never looked back in the $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II) this afternoon at Saratoga,
Ridden to victory by Ramon Dominguez, Alpha got off to a quick start from post position one and went straight to the lead, setting slow fractions of :24.40 and :49.30 over a sloppy track while being tracked by Teeth of the Dog. Neck 'n Neck was right behind them in third, followed on the far outside by Prospective. Fast Falcon was along the rail in fifth, while Atigun, My Adonis, and Liaison, trailed the field.
The positions remained unchanged down the backstretch and around the far turn, with Alpha leading the way through three-quarters of a mile in 1:14.03. Turning for home, he still led the way, but Neck 'n Neck was putting in a good run on the outside and loomed a serious threat for the victory. However, Alpha had plenty left in the tank, and courageously turned back the challenge to win the Jim Dandy by two lengths, stopping the clock for nine furlongs in 1:50.47.
Neck 'n Neck finished much the best of the rest, while Liaison and Teeth of the Dog rounded out the superfecta. The winner is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and owned by Godolphin Racing.
-Keelerman
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