A Big Weekend for Baffert Stable

Over the next couple of days, the country’s two best 3-year-olds will be in action.

Today, Congaree will be heavily favored to win the $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga.

Sunday, his more accomplished stablemate, Point Given, will make his first start since his crushing victory in the Belmont Stakes on June 9 in the $1.5-million Haskell Invitational Handicap at Monmouth Park.

Jockey Gary Stevens will ride both colts for trainer Bob Baffert.

Congaree will be trying for his second stakes win in less than three weeks. Against an overmatched field on July 15 at Hollywood Park, the son of Arazi, owned by Robert and Janice McNair’s Stonerside Stable, won by four lengths without being asked for his best.

It was the first start for Congaree since his third-place finish in the Preakness and was his fourth victory in seven races. He will carry top weight of 123 pounds, meaning he’ll be spotting his six rivals from five to nine pounds.

Prepping for the Travers later in the month, A P Valentine is the second choice as he runs for the first time since finishing second in the Belmont for trainer Nick Zito. Victor Espinoza, who was aboard the colt in the Belmont and the Preakness, will ride the son of A.P. Indy.

Completing the field for the Jim Dandy, which is run at 1 1/8 miles, are Indygo Shiner, Scorpion, Free Of Love, Kid Rigo and Windsor Castle, who is two for two at Saratoga.