8/28/21

   11    SAR     The Travers (GI)

$1,250.000      3yo     1 1/4m    Dirt             122lbs

You know summer is coming to a close when it’s time for The Travers (GI) and the big race is upon us… we get a nice field of ten sophomores ready to do battle in a race that looks like it could go any  number of ways.  You know me, I go with the obvious in most of these and it doesn’t get much more obvious than Howl Of The Hound… yeah, I know, after eight straight wins he now has a pair of runner-up finishes so he has “seconditus” – I don’t think so.  Today, he flexes his muscles and gets back to the winner’s circle.  If I’m wrong, I’ll look for one of his stable-mates to pull the upset, and I’ll take Proud Crown in the second spot.  Does Mb Stables have a bad horse?  I don’t think so… and he’s another that has five wins from six starts and nearly $1,000.000 in earnings this year, and I’m referring to him as “second string”… funny.  Another that has run some big races with big horses is Cheesy, and remember, he was only a head back of HOTH in the KYD (GI)… which seems like a million years ago.  He’s coming back after a short rest, which he may have needed after the BEL (GI), so does the fresh horse get the job done?

Quite a few ways to look at this one, and I’m certain we will not be disappointed when they turn for home!

Here’s The Field –

Sold three races back for $700.000 and has a second in his three starts since then.  That was in the Affirmed (GIII) at SA, then he was fifth in the Haskel (GI) in his most recent.  He has ability, no doubt about it… can this be a stage where he puts it all together and pulls the upset?

Another that changed hands recently, having two starts for the new barn, and not much to show from it vs. this type as he beat one horse in the Peter Pan (GIII) then came back to be third vs NY-bred stakes company over this track.  He will need some new-found form to run with this bunch. 

Was kind-of in the second string (if Mb has such a thing) as he was making a solid living in TX-bred company, then ran a solid third in the Dwyer (GIII) to prove he was a bit better than that, only to come back and win the WV Derby (GI) at nearly 9/1 odds, thus proving he belongs with the big boys.  Give him a look here, he may be the hot horse right now. 

Broke maiden over this track last out, was claimed, and they jump into the deep end of the shark infested waters here.  SAR is known for long-shots and pulling the upset, and that’s just what this would be. 

Got back on the right side of things last out, taking down Alw types at DMR, closing well to get the win.  He was third in the Withers back when the TC Trail was in it’s first few steps, so he has run with very good horses.  He may be worth a look if you want something with some odds. 

Not much to add on this one… he was three-quarters of a length from taking the TC and if you don’t know who he is, well, get out from under that rock.  Set the pace in the Haskel (GI) only to get nailed late in that one, a neck back.  Still, you have to run your eye-balls out to get him… he’s the horse to beat. 

A head back in the KYD (GI) only to throw a bit of a dud in the BEL (GI), so they gave him a break and it’s back to work.  He had an impressive three-race win streak there before the trip to Louisville, taking the Lewis (GIII), San Felipe (GII) and SA Derby (GI) so he makes for an interesting “come back story” today.  He has to be in the mix. 

Another with a hot hand right now, taking three in a row and five of six this year.  Mb comes locked and loaded today, and this one is just about as good as any.  All five of those seasonal wins were graded stakes… he can run, with anyone!  …and that win in the Dandy (GII) proves that.

Second in the fore-mentioned Dandy (GII) and he won the OH Derby (GIII) prior to that near miss.  He has a pair of wins and a trio of seconds from eight seasonal starts, so he’s certainly a horse that knows hot to bring home a check when facing the toughest horses around. 

He won the BG Stakes (GII) back on the TC Trail, and was third in the BEL (GI), making a nice late run in that one.  Was sixth last out in the Haskel (GI), and he faces some horses that beat him that day… can he turn it around here? 

COZMAN       6  /  8  /  7            Willie’s Green Card      6 / 8 / 3         

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES