Not This Time solidified his spot atop the Third-Crop Sire list with a dynamic performance by Epicenter in Saturday’s $600,000 Jim Dandy S. (G2) at Saratoga, defeating Preakness (G1) winner Early Voting, Blue Grass S. (G1) winner and Ohio Derby (G3) winner Tawny Port in the compact field of four.

With eight black type winners, including five graded stakes winners, Not This Time’s progeny have earned more than $7.8 million to date in 2022.

Epicenter, occupying the inside post in the 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy, settled back in fourth as Early Voting led the quartet through a half-mile in :48.28. Early Voting continued to lead around the turn and into the stretch, with Epicenter and jockey Joel Rosario coming four-wide for the stretch run.

The two were on even terms with a furlong to go. Epicenter dug in to pull away, defeating Zandon by 1 ½-lengths in 1:48.99 on a fast track.

“It’s nice (to win) after coming off a little seconditis in the Preakness and the Derby,” said owner Ron Winchell. “The Travers was the original target (after the Preakness), we were treating this as a little bit of a prep race, hopefully it will work out.”

Prior to the Triple Crown, Epicenter won the Louisiana Derby (G2) and Risen Star S. (G2). At two, he won the Gun Runner S., also at Fair Grounds. His overall record is now 5-3-0 in nine starts, with earnings of $2,270,639.

Epicenter, who sold to Winchell for $260,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling sale, was bred by Westwind Farms.