Flower Alley Has Dandy Chance

The 42nd running of the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes today at Saratoga is one of the weaker renewals.

Of the six 3-year-olds scheduled to run 1 1/8 miles in the major prep for next month’s Travers, only Flower Alley is a graded stakes winner.

Owned by Eugene Melnyk and trained by Todd Pletcher, the son of Distorted Humor won the Lanes End, a Grade II, on March 26 at Turfway Park in Florence, Ky., then was second in both the Arkansas Derby and Dwyer.

John Velazquez, who is bidding to win his third consecutive riding title at Saratoga, has the mount on Flower Alley.

The Jim Dandy marks the return of two Nick Zito-trained colts who, between them, competed in all three Triple Crown races. Noble Causeway, who was 14th in the Kentucky Derby and sixth in the Preakness, will be ridden by Jerry Bailey for the first time, and Andromeda’s Hero, who was second to Afleet Alex in the Belmont Stakes, keeps Rafael Bejarano.

Earlier in the day, Wonder Again will try to win the $500,000 Diana Handicap for a second consecutive year when she faces Delta Princess, Sand Springs, Angara and six other fillies and mares in the Grade I at 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

Race of the day: Louvain, who has won two of three in the U.S. for owner Ed Gann and trainer Bobby Frankel, will be favored against a full field of 3-year-old fillies in the $150,000 San Clemente Handicap at Del Mar. A Grade II at one mile on turf, the San Clemente is a prep for the $300,000 Del Mar Oaks on Aug. 20. Victor Espinoza will ride Louvain, a daughter of Sinndar, as she seeks her second win in July. She won the Flawlessly at Hollywood Park nearly four weeks ago.

One for the road: In the eighth at Arlington Park, Mellowes makes his first start since Jan. 29 for trainer Tony Reinstedler and he has run well off the bench before. James Graham will ride the 7-year-old son of Unbridled, who has won two of four over the local turf course, for owners Eugene and Laura Melnyk in the $50,000 claimer at 1 1/8 miles.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using Sanky Panky in the fourth, Tsigane, Golden Arrow, Terroplane and Running Free in the fifth and Golden Silk, Frosty Moments and Diamond Omi in the sixth.

Winners (through Thursday): Previous day/meet total: 2/22. Money: Previous day/meet total: $14.40/$125.60. Total money bet: $136.