The Jim Dandy Stakes originated in 1964, and is for horses three years-old and older. 

It is raced at a mile and an eighth, on dirt, and classified as a Grade 2 race with a purse of $500,000 dollars. 

The track record for this race dates back to 1996 when LOUIS QUATORZE (that years Preakness Winner) blazed to a 1:47:26.

The race is named in honor of 3 year-old colt JIM DANDY, (pictured) who in the 1930 Travers Stakes beat Triple Crown Winner GALLANT FOX. 

The Graveyard of Favorites stayed true to the moniker as JIM DANDY went off at odds of 100-1!  Making it an upset for the ages. 

It was just one of seven career Victories in 141 lifetime starts for the horse, one of which was the 1929 Grand Union Stakes at Saratoga.  Horses for courses anyone?  It proved then, as it still does, what a great angle that is at The Spa.

The Jim Dandy is typically used as a prep race for the Travers Stakes.  The Winning horse, and runners up (if they ran well) will be back in four weeks to compete again- for bigger money in The Mid-Summer Derby.

The 59th edition of the Jim Dandy Stakes is Saturday at Saratoga.