What we learned: Epicenter is on top again after Jim Dandy

Epicenter lacks a Grade 1 victory to his name at the moment, but he keeps coming across as the best 3-year-old dirt router around. This time, Epicenter won the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga with the closing style that ironically resulted in him losing the Preakness Stakes.

The difference is that Epicenter had less traffic to face in a four-horse field. Because of the moderate pace, Epicenter’s closing style also made the win more impressive than it would appear if he had used his speed. 

Without Epicenter present up front to apply pressure, Early Voting took an uncontested lead and set opening fractions of 24.22 and 48.28 seconds. At the half-mile fraction, Zandon tracked in second about 1 1/2 lengths behind Early Voting. Tawny Port followed along the inside in third.

Epicenter trailed, but only by three lengths. 

Early Voting had the advantage, but his lead seemed in danger heading into the far turn. Most good speed horses with an uncontested lead usually start to separate at this point. In this case, Early Voting led by only one length and Zandon kept getting closer.

With Early Voting under a ride, the race became wide open. Zandon began to inch forward alongside Early Voting. Tawny Port tried for an inside rally. Epicenter took the outside route under Joel Rosario.  

Once Epicenter came forward with a wide move under a confident Rosario, the race looked over. Jockeys do not take their mount wide while riding with quiet arms unless they know the horse is loaded for the stretch. Epicenter did not disappoint and began gobbling up the field.

Epicenter reached the lead with mild urging at best, while Early Voting, Zandon and Tawny Port all were in a drive inside of him. At the end, Epicenter crossed the wire 1 1/2 lengths ahead of Zandon, who likely got a boost with Epicenter’s outside move because he tried to go with him.

For Early Voting, the final blow to his stock came when Tawny Port outfinished him for third. Early Voting lost by only 3 3/4 lengths in last, but it felt more disappointing than the margin given his early cushion on the lead and moderate to slow fractions for a Grade 1-level race at nine furlongs.

Considering that Epicenter overcame the pace scenario and won the race under total confidence from Rosario after taking the far turn wide, he deserves all the praise as he performed like the best 3-year-old dirt router. The only question is whether his early speed still exists, as it could help him avoid other horses if the Travers Stakes (G1) fills up.

Closing in a four-horse field means less traffic. Epicenter got away with winning from last because he could get into a rhythm early with no horses around him and not deal with traffic on the far turn. If the Travers ends up with 10 horses, though, closing may result in problems.

Zandon deserves credit too for running closer to the lead than he prefers and outperforming Tawny Port and Early Voting in the stretch. It must feel frustrating for Zandon bettors though to see him outrun by Epicenter again in the stretch. In a fair race, Epicenter just looks better.

With that said, Zandon might offer value in the Travers. Not only has he lost to Epicenter repeatedly, but he has not won since the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland in April. The Blue Grass feels like a long time ago. Most bettors prefer to rely on horses with recent wins.

Tawny Post gave a respectable effort too at 8-1. He lost second to Zandon by only half a length and ended up two lengths behind Epicenter.

If Tawny Port attempts the Travers, this closer can make the underneath slots of trifectas and superfectas more interesting, especially if the field fills up and he starts at double-digit odds as the forgotten horse.

Early Voting’s effort seems almost too bad to believe. Finishing last after setting a fast pace or contesting the pace is one thing. But for a good speed horse to fade to last after setting moderate fractions with a slight cushion is strange. Perhaps he was overrated after his Preakness win.

For bettors who still believe in Early Voting, they will receive a nice price on him in the Travers. Still, he faces a new distance test at 1 1/4 miles since trainer Chad Brown skipped the Kentucky Derby. With that said, the Preakness distance was not much shorter than 10 furlongs.

Epicenter needs a Grade 1 win to round out his resume and get a chance at winning the Eclipse Award for this division. Even without that important Grade 1 win yet, Epicenter gives the impression of being the best 3-year-old dirt router in the country. Expect to see a big performance from him in the Travers and Breeders' Cup Classic.