Epicenter Erupts Late in Jim Dandy!

Even-money favorite EPICENTER (c, 3, Not This Time–Silent Candy, by Candy Ride {Arg}) sat last and didn't look particularly comfortable early in the GII Jim Dandy S., but when Joel Rosario got him going in the stretch, he powered past his three formidable rivals to post a 1 1/2-length victory in 1:48.99. Zandon (Upstart), one spot behind Epicenter in the GI Kentucky Derby when they were second and third to shocking upsetter Rich Strike (Keen Ice), completed the exacta. GIII Ohio Derby winner Tawny Port (Pioneerof the Nile) was third, while GI Preakness S. hero Early Voting (Gun Runner) dropped back to last after setting the pace. Epicenter had last been seen finishing second in the May 21 Preakness after a rough trip and much-talked-about patient ride from Joel Rosario, who was celebrating back-to-back stakes victories Saturday aboard Steve Asmussen trainees after piloting Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) in the GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. Sales history: $260,000 ylg '20 KEESEP. O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC. B-Westwind Farms (Ky). T-Steve Asmussen. Source: thoroughbreddailynews.com Photo credit: Sarah Andrew