Jim Dandy Stakes Picks – Horse Racing Odds, Betting Preview, and Saratoga Predictions (Aug 1)

• When: Saturday, August 1, 2026 @ 5:44 PM ET
• Where: Saratoga, New York
• How to Watch: FanDuel TV

Key action on the horse racing calendar for horses aged three is set for Saratoga on Saturday, as the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes forms an important stop on the road to the Travers Stakes, and potentially the Breeders’ Cup. You can find the odds and our Jim Dandy Stakes picks here.

Jim Dandy Stakes Odds

Horse (Draw)	Odds
Chip Honcho (1)	+350
Asked And Answered (2)	+5000
Renegade (3)	+120
Silent Tactic (4)	+1900
Commandment (5)	+220

Latest odds taken from an Offshore Sportsbook. BetOnline markets open on the day of the race.

Race Information & Records

Stat	Information
Race Distance	1 1/8 Miles
Purse	$500,000
Most Successful Trainer	Todd Pletcher (8)
Most Successful Jockey	John Velazquez (5)

ALSO SEE: Iowa Corn 350 Picks, NASCAR Odds & Betting Preview (Aug 9)

Jim Dandy Stakes: Recent Winners

• 2025– Sovereignty (Junior Alvarado/William Mott)
• 2024– Fierceness (John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher)
• 2023– Forte (Irad Ortiz/Todd Pletcher)
• 2022– Epicenter (Joel Rosario/Steven Asmussen)
• 2021– Essential Quality (Luis Saez/Brad Cox)

Jim Dandy Stakes: Betting Preview

One of the standout races on the Saratoga calendar this summer takes place on Saturday, as the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes forms the final stepping stone before the Travers. The talented roll of honor includes recent victors such as Sovereignty, Fierceness, and Epicenter. But, which three-year-old will add their name to the list?

Todd Pletcher saddles Renegade this weekend, who looks like one of the standout three-year-olds in the U.S. He was second in the Kentucky Derby and third in the Belmont Stakes, finishing five lengths behind Golden Tempo in the latter. Had looked high class before then, winning the G1 Arkansas Derby and Sam F. Davis Stakes.

Commandment reversed the Kentucky Derby form with Renegade in the Belmont Stakes, finishing second and just under two lengths behind Golden Tempo. The Into Mischief colt has already won the G2 Fountain of Youth and G1 Florida Derby, but it remains to be seen whether he is capable of that kind of performance away from Gulfstream Park.

Chip Honcho gives Steven Asmussen an interesting contender this weekend. The three-year-old was third in the Preakness Stakes, with Napoleon Solo representing that form with a gritty second in last weekend’s Haskell. The Connect colt has since resumed his progress with a win over Ocelli in the G3 Ohio Derby.

Silent Tactic rounds off the likely leading contenders. The Tacitus colt hasn’t been seen since finishing second behind Renegade in the G1 Arkansas Derby. Asked and Answered rounds off the field, but a career-best effort will be required at the Spa to upset the odds.

Jim Dandy Stakes Picks

With no clear front runner, there could be value in siding with Chip Honcho in the Jim Dandy. He is in good form for the Asmussen stable after landing the Ohio Derby, and the strength of his third in the Preakness looks reliable. His back form is also solid, having finished second in the G2 Risen Star; ahead of Derby and Belmont Stakes champion Golden Tempo. If getting an easy lead, he could be difficult to peg back.

Free Pick:

• Chip Honcho

Saratoga Picks for August 1

Race	Pick
Race 1- Maiden Special Weight	Pavlova’s Palace
Race 2- Maiden Special Weight	Cyber Baby
Race 3- Claiming	Tuscan Sky
Race 4- Maiden Special Weight	Dream More
Race 5- Maiden Special Weight	Fair Practice
Race 6- G2 Saratoga Special	Uncle Kef
Race 7- Allowance	Universe
Race 8- Allowance	Just Add Water
Race 9- G3 Lake George Stakes	Deep Learning
Race 10- G2 Jim Dandy Stakes	SEE ABOVE
Race 11- Allowance	King Puck