Street Sense returns to win Jim Dandy Stakes

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Saratoga Springs, NY (Sports Network) - Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense made a successful return to the races Sunday with a convincing victory in the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Street Sense last raced on May 19 when he was defeated by Curlin in the Preakness Stakes.

Street Sense, ridden by Calvin Borel, was sent off as the 1-5 favorite in the six horse field. He was 2-5 in the morning-line.

Owned by James Tafel, Street Sense broke well from the gate and settled along the rail in fifth place about five lengths off the lead. Flashstorm and C P West vied for the lead with Tiz Wonderful running third and Cowtown Cat in fourth. Sightseeing trailed the field.

Around the turn for home Street Sense began to move toward the leaders along the inside under a patient ride by Borel. Coming off the turn the three-year- old colt moved off the rail and began his charge to the front.

The favorite took over the lead inside the furlong pole and hit the wire 1 1/2 lengths in front of runner-up C P West. Sightseeing finished third followed by Cowtown Cat, Flashstorm and Tiz Wonderful.

The time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:48.99 on a fast track.

Street Sense is next scheduled to go in the 1 1/4 mile Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday, August 25. Trainer Carl Nafzger has carefully mapped out the colt's training, including the decision to miss the Belmont Stakes.

"The decision wasn't easy, but the decision was made to end our spring campaign in the Preakness and begin our fall campaign at Saratoga," Nafzger said. "He's really enjoyed the last couple of months. The thing was the timing. We felt that he had done everything we wanted him to do. If we ran him in the Belmont, that might have thrown us off on what we'd like to achieve, like winning the Travers."

Street Sense collects $300,000 with Sunday's win to increase his career earnings to better than $3.4 million. Along with his win in the Run for the Roses, Street Sense captured the Tampa Bay Derby this year and was the runner-up in the Blue Grass Stakes.

In 2006 he was crowned champion two-year-old male after capturing the Breeders' Cup Juvenile by 10 lengths.

Street Sense returned $2.70, $2.30 and $2.10. C P West paid $5.00 and $3.40, and Sightseeing paid $3.00 to show.