Burning Approval Keeps it Close in The Travers

By McDuffy on August 26, 2019

Do you think this sophomore chestnut should be in Hollywood with his love for the camera? Winning by just a neck at the wire, Mb Stables trainer Dan was on pins and needles once again with Burning Approval and the Grade I Travers!

The Travers- Grade I Purse $1,250.000
Saratoga Race Course – For Three Year Olds
One Mile and a Quarter- Main Track

In his past four events. Burning Approval has finished second by a nose, second by a neck, first by a neck, and now first by a neck once again. I swear that each time this three year old competes, there are Paramedics standing by with a defibrillator in case Dan’s heart stops. I can tell you that each time this chestnut out of Niner Forty Niner races, you will not be glued to your seat.

While there is no BC entitlement ticket coming out of this event, I can pretty well guarantee you that he will be heading to the Classic in November. Granted, Admiration, Apples To Oranges and Centerpiece will be considered to attend, this one might just find a spot as well. May just come down to putting names in a hat? The victory is now his third of his career and his career earnings sit at $1,405.000. If nothing else, Burning Approval is making sure his trainer is surrounded with picture perfect photos on his office walls of his finishes. As for Mb Stables, while there were entries in all seven of the stakes events on the card here at The Spa, this would be the only title he would walk away with, but it was the biggest.

Finishing in the photo with the winner and placing second was fellow friend and trainer D J C Racing Stables and his entry of For The Boys. Was coming here with a third place finish in the Haskell behind Twin Towers, but ahead of Apples And Oranges. Has finished in the money in his last four events and seems to be coming into a top caliber horse with his maturity. Could be a strong contender in November.

Third place was snatched up by Kentucky Derby winner and John Henry’s latest acquisition Beach Dandy. His first start for this trainer in the Belmont was not what he was looking for and may have not found the bigger swooping turns favorable on the day. The tighter turns here gave him an advantage to charge up late from the back of the field. While he went seven straight trips to the winners enclosure in his career, the question remains will he rise to that glory once again. It has definitely been proven that rider Castellano makes him a better horse, but will he be available for future endeavor in major affairs?

Minor purse share went to a dead heat finish between Brady Is A Lady ( Sharis Stables ) and War Command ( Estero Farms). While War Command was battling with Mb Stables other entry of Opus Force in the early goings of this affair only to fade slightly at the wire, Brady Is A Lady ran a consistent pace throughout this race while being let go at some 218-1 odds.

Haskell winner Twin Towers ( Fractious) was competing in his first ever start for this trainer, and this must have been a minor disappointment after the truckload of cash spent. Might take a couple to get a feel for his new surroundings and feel for his trainer, but I think this colt is in capable hands. Hopefully no future disappointment.

Seventh on back started with a three way dead heat between Curlin winner Zee Unit ( Rampage Stables ) Dandy winner Unfold ( Mb Stables ) and Bad Bad Boy ( Fractious ). The final two finishers would be front runner Opus Force and Smugglers Blues ( John Henry ).