Smile Politely. Speak Directly. A Champaign-Urbana Culture Blog

The field for the Grade II Jim Dandy Stakes this Sunday is shaping up to be a sampling of the best-of Triple Crown hopefuls and never-wases. Pyro, fresh from his comeback in the Northern Dancer Stakes at Churchill Downs, has proven his authority over Recapturetheglory and Visionaire after his Derby flop, and now is set to prove himself against former Triple Crown runners Da’ Tara, Tale of Ekati, Anak Nakal, and Macho Again. New rivals Tiz Now Tiz Then and Tizbig are also up to challenge. In this second half of the year, the big stakes races are starting to pop up again in preparation for the most prestigious race in America, the Breeder’s Cup Classic. But Pyro is on a road all his own.