What we learned: Forte wins Jim Dandy with aggressive ride

Forte overcame the expected moderate pace scenario to edge out Saudi Crown and capture the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga over the slop. However, the win came with some controversy as jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. made use of aggressive riding to make enough room for Forte to move forward at the top of the stretch.

First, here is the recap of how Saudi Crown almost stole the race.

With new blinkers on, Forte started best out of the small group. But Saudi Crown outfooted Forte to the lead before the first turn and crossed over to secure the lead with a small cushion intact. Saudi Crown’s stablemate Angel of Empire took up second on the outside, and Forte settled into third.

Hit Show stalked on the outside in fourth and Disarm trailed. Only 3 1/2 lengths separated Saudi Crown and Disarm in the opening quarter, which went in 23.94. As the race continued, Saudi Crown posted fractions of 48.10 for the half-mile and 1:12.30 for six furlongs while maintaining the small cushion throughout his comfortable lead.  

When the field hit the far turn, Saudi Crown needed to get serious and face the oncoming challenge of Forte. Saudi Crown had enjoyed a great trip up to this point, but now he had to finish off the race. His situation looked great with Forte stuck behind him and his stablemate. 

As Forte waited on the inside, Angel of Empire traveled in the path next to him. With Saudi Crown in front and Angel of Empire directly to his right, Forte had nowhere to make to his move for the brief moment. But Ortiz had a plan, or a strategy, to make the required room appear. 

Ortiz ended up forcing a path by aggressively shifting Forte to the right and pushing Angel of Empire out of the way. As Forte worked relentlessly on Angel of Empire, Saudi Crown under Florent Geroux also shifted out a bit and continued to make Forte’s path tight in mid-stretch.

Forte had just enough room to fit through both horses and moved forward to prevail by a nose over Saudi Crown in second. Angel of Empire finished half a length behind in third, and Disarm kept up nearby in fourth while losing by just over two lengths. Hit Show stayed within range of the field until the far turn before fading out the picture.

Saudi Crown enjoyed a perfect trip as the loose pacesetter with a comfortable lead, and Forte deserves credit for running him down.

Nevertheless, Ortiz probably went too far on Forte when he pushed Angel of Empire out in an overly aggressive manner. Forte and Angel of Empire did not just exchange a few light bumps. Forte was led right into Angel of Empire as they made the turn and hit the top of the stretch. At one point, Forte was nearly moving sideways as Ortiz encouraged it. 

The incident appeared worse on the angle behind the horses, rather than on the view seen on the satellite feed. One must wonder whether that type of riding becomes dangerous for both horses and jockeys. 

Was Angel of Empire going to win the race without the interference? No. Even if Forte remained trapped in the box and had not come out in time, Saudi Crown was going to win in that case as he had more in the tank. 

Did Angel of Empire and Flavien Prat hold a right to that path without the danger of the inside horse being instructed to “rodeo” them out in a careless manner to another part of the track? That is a valid question.

Ortiz has been riding on the dangerous side for years now, and at some point the stewards need to put their foot down to protect the horses and jockeys in question from serious injury. 

In any case, Forte completed the nine furlongs in 1:49.61, which resulted in a 105 Beyer Speed Figure and 125 TimeformUS Speed Figure.

Riding controversy aside, Forte proved himself as the best horse in the race, especially given that Saudi Crown had no reason to lose with his comfortable lead. Forte also reminded the racing public why he remains a division leader.

The waters obviously become deeper in the Travers Stakes (G1) next month with Arcangelo and Mage expected to compete. Barring an unfavorable trip, Forte should find himself in the mix when they hit the stretch run.