HORSE RACING

• A Little Warm is hot horse in Jim Dandy Stakes

  Saratoga Springs, NY (Sports Network) - A Little Warm, ridden by John Velazquez, took the lead in mid-stretch on his way to winning Saturday's $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

  The 1 1/8-mile contest is the local prep for the $1 million Travers on Saturday, August 28.

  A Little Warm, trained by Tony Dutrow, prompted the pace that was set by Miner's Reserve. Running right behind the first two colts were Friend Or Foe and Stormy's Majesty, as 9-5 favorite Fly Down was racing last in the eight horse field.

  Miner's Reserve and A Little Warm continued on the front end entering the final turn and as the field entered the stretch. Miner's Reserve, ridden by Calvin Borel, was a 15-1 longshot, while A Little Warm was the 4-1 third choice.

  Owned by Edward Evans, A Little Warm edged past Miner's Reserve with a furlong to go and went on to post a 1 3/4-length victory. Afleet Express, the 5-2 second pick, advanced to finish third followed by Friend Or Foe, Fly Down, Steinbeck, Aikenite and Stormy's Majesty.

  The time for the Jim Dandy was 1:47.98 on a fast track.

  Winslow Homer, also trained by Dutrow, was scratched in order to run in Sunday's Curlin Stakes at Saratoga.

  A Little Warm notched his fourth career win with Saturday's triumph and added $300,000 to his bankroll. The colt has lifetime earnings of $608,880 in nine starts.

  Early this year the three-year-old won the Spectacular Bid Stakes at Gulfstream Park and followed with second-place finishes in the Hutcheson and Louisiana Derby.

  A Little Warm returned $10.20, $5.50 and $3.80. Miner's Reserve paid $13.60 and $7.90, and Afleet Express paid $3.50 to show.

  It was announced on Friday that 2009 Horse of the year Rachel Alexandra will make her next start in Saratoga's Personal Ensign Stakes on Sunday, August 29.

  "Rachel feels very much at home among the great Saratoga fans," said Jess Jackson, who owns the filly with Harold McCormick, in a statement. "It's an historic race, named after a great champion. The timing is right for Rachel. She's been coming back into her stride and this will help her prepare for the rest of her campaign and the Breeders' Cup later this year." The Personal Ensign is a 1 1/4-mile race for fillies and mares with a purse of $300,000.

  07/31 18:53:34 ET