IT’S TAX IN THE JIM DANDY: NEXT UP, THE TRAVERS
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY >> Tax had shown promise on the Kentucky Derby trail, winning the Withers back in February and finishing a close second behind Tacitus in the Wood Memorial. Things didn’t work out in the Derby and Belmont, however, and in the Jim Dandy the Arch gelding would be making his first start in seven weeks.
Tax signaled his readiness with a best-of-70 bullet breeze on the Saratoga main track last weekend. On Saturday, he showed that move was no aberration, grinding out a gutsy off-the-pace win in the Jim Dandy as the 9-2 fourth choice.
Tax was clear by a length and a half at the eighth pole but had to withstand the gallant late charge of Tacitus, who had gone to his knees (and possibly his nose) leaving the gate but, under a heady ride by Jose Ortiz, somehow managed to reach contention in mid-stretch. Tax was able to hold on, though, edging away in the final sixteenth to prevail by three-quarters of a length.
Tacitus stayed up for second, 3 ¾ lengths clear of Global Campaign. Laughing Fox, War of Will and Mihos completed the order of finish. The running time for nine furlongs over a fast main track was 1:49.28.
“Our game plan was to sit second or third,” said winning trainer Danny Gargan. “We
thought Global Campaign would be in front, and he didn’t go, and [then] War of Will went flying like that. [Jockey] Irad [Ortiz Jr] did the right thing and waited. He rode the perfect race today.
“[Tax’s] last work here the other day was spectacular. It was electrifying, and this is the fittest I’ve ever had him. I knew he would dig in today.”
Tax broke well from his no. 2 post and led through the first turn. The headstrong War of Will had ideas of his own, however, dragging Tyler Gaffalione to an open-lengths lead down the backstretch and into the far turn. Tax went by that one and, increasing his advantage in mid-stretch, was able to blunt Tacitus’s unlikely rally.
“Today, it felt much better than [in the Belmont],” said Ortiz. “When I let him run, he picked it up. I let him go, and when and said, ‘Let’s go!’ he was feeling great.”
The win was the third in eight starts for Tax, who races for – get ready for it – R. A. Hill Stable, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Hugh Lynch and Corms Racing Stable. With firstplace money in the Jim Dandy, his bankroll increased to $756,300.