NEW YORK'S SARATOGA SPRINGS - Epicenter is back in the winner's circle, according to his trainer Steve Asmussen.

Epicentre returned to the track for a thrilling victory in the $600,000 Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, holding off Zandon by 1 1/2 lengths after finishing in second place in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in May. Epicentre charged along the outside in a four-horse struggle.

Along with the runner-up Triple Crown finishes this year, Epicenter now has three victories under the ownership of Winchell Thoroughbreds. It was advantageous that it occurred during the customary Saratoga pre-race for the upcoming $1.25 million Travers Stakes.

Asmussen, who won the Jim Dandy for the third time, remarked that having him back in the winner's circle after two challenging races was "very fulfilling." It was his first race at Saratoga, and we already knew what was coming. For it, we want to be as prepared as we can be.

When the trim field was packed across the track, Epicenter, ridden by Joel Rosario, raced along the outside and eventually pulled away to defeat Zandon by 1 1/2 lengths. The third was Tawny Port.

In 1:48 4/5, Epicenter covered the 1 1/8 miles while earning $4.20 and $2.60. Paying $3.20 was Zandon.

Preakness champion Early Voting set the early pace but finished fourth in his first race since that memorable victory at Pimlico in May. In its previous four starts, Early Voting had prevailed.

Chad Brown, who trains Zandon and Early Voting, congratulated the victor. "Despite his poor breaking, he still circled the field and won admirably. He was today's best horse.

Rosario rode Epicenter in the disappointing Triple Crown races as well. Epicentre closed from the eighth spot in both races and finished second to Early Voting in the Preakness and three-quarters of a length behind Rich Strike in the Derby.

It was his turn this time. Additionally, beating Zandon in the Grade 2 Risen Star, the bay son of Not This Time, won the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds.

He supported me, Rosario stated. He is an excellent horse. He is getting older and more mature now, things like that. He gave it his all. Always trying, he. The pace was pretty good when we ran him in the Preakness, and he still came around.

Ricardo Santana Jr.'s mount Western River, a 20-1 long shot scheduled to compete in his second stakes, was scratched.

It marked the end of a successful day for Asmussen, who previously won the Jim Dandy with Kensei in 2009 and Tenfold in 2014. His hotly favoured Jackie's Warrior comfortably defeated Kneedeepinsnow and Willy Boi in the 38th running of the $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt by breaking away down the stretch to win for the fifth time in his career.

In his 16 career starts, Jackie's Warrior has won 12 times, making him the only horse to do so at Saratoga.

Asmussen remarked, "The finest racehorses who have won here, and he's the only one to do that." He is the total package.