As the summer starts to slowly shorten in daylight hours, many top runners head to Upstate New York for a little “Spa” treatment, oh and also a shot at a share in the twelve hundred and fifty dollar purse that goes along with this seasons Grade I Travers.
- The Travers- Grade I Purse $1250.000
- Saratoga Race Course – For Three Year Olds
- One Mile and a Quarter- Main Track
- August 24th, 2019.
While many of the competitors who have taken part in this years Triple Crown events look to the future, one of the stops they will usually consider before heading to a BC affair in November is to take part in the Grade I Travers. For some, this event has proven to be a nice stepping stone to build a foundation on, while others have found nothing but pain and heartaches in future races. This being it’s sixteenth season, I know of five who have had some success going on to the Breeders Cup races. Here is a summary of that group;
In 2005 we would see a horse by the name of Grady ( Unreal Racing ) Career Earnings- $5,636.190 attempt the BC Classic in both 05 and 08, with only being able to place third in both events. He would however go on to capturing the BC Dirt Mile in 2006. While he was capturing the Dirt Mile, another sophomore was starting to shine brightly that season. Fuji Stables Dark Crown Career Earnings-$8,926.330, was coming off a Preakness victory when he won the Travers, and he would be the only winner of this event to go on to capture the Classic in the same year. Since the Preakness, he accumulated an amazing 19, 100+ SRF Ratings in his career.
We jump to 2014 to find a horse by the name of Hardline ( Downwind Stables ) Career Earnings-$3,766.800 be another runner who was unsuccessful at capturing the Classic in the fall, but the following season would find the BC Dirt Mile award stowed safely in his trophy case. As he won that event that year, another up and coming sophomore by the name of A One ( Eastern Equine ) Career Earnings-$6,561.800 win the Travers after his Preakness title, and place third in the Classic, missing by three quarters of a length. Two years later he would try yet again, this time by a neck in a photo finish to place second.
The link continues that season as in 2017 John Henry and his recent purchase of Copper Beast Career Earnings-$3,141.460 went straight to the Travers, Didn’t pass GO, but he collected $500.000 in a dead heat victory with Australia Wide’s Bo Jangles.He would come up short by three quarters of a length finishing second in the Classic.
So for some, the win was sweet here, kind of Classic you might say, while others found only a curse. They still had brilliant careers, it just didn’t follow in the path that most trainers would have liked.
So who of this weekends group of eleven will come forth and grab the Travers title, and maybe, just maybe carry it on through to a Breeders Cup victory in their future endeavors.
Weight- 122 Pounds
Changes- None
1 Burning Approval ( Mb Stables ) Jockey- Franco M.– When his hopes for a shot at the Triple Crown didn’t seem to blossom, the Ontario bred headed up to try his hands at the Canadian Triple Crown. Was the runner in the Queens Plate at WO, then captured the second leg the Prince Of Wales Stakes down at the Fort. Has had a turf and two dirt works since the victory and can handle the distance. Has an ideal post position if traffic doesn’t interfere.
2 Smugglers Blues ( John Henry ) Jockey- Velazquez J R.– Went runner-up in the Coolmore Lexington race in April, but he never pursued a TC run. This rider was aboard two starts ago in a sprint affair at PEN where he tried to steal it on the front, but ended up second. That must have sprung some life into him as he recently captured the $500.000 IND Derby at a mile an a sixteenth. Seems the right move coming here, but surprisingly Saenz is not back in the irons. Possible late jockey change?
3 Twin Towers ( Smokey Stover ) Jockey Alvarado J– Stock prices on this sophomore shot through the roof back in early August and this will be his first start for his new barn. Did manage to capture the Grade I Haskell before the sale, and many Haskell winners have gone on to capture this affair. Hopefully he likes his new digs, and trust me knowing Smokey, he spared no expense at fixing up this one’s stall. Word has it he has HD television in there with the Racing Channel. If he’s settled, he can make it happen this weekend.
4 Zee Unit ( Rampage Stable ) Jockey- Rosario J – Took five attempts to try to break his maiden, then in his first ever Grade company race, he was left a little short finishing in fifth, three lengths shy. His most recent saw him capture the $100.000 The Curlin going a mile and a eighth over this very track surface. Rosario was aboard for both those stakes races, so the duo are building a rapport with one another. Question is, will the competition be a bit too tough for him. I tend to agree.
5 Opus Force ( Mb Stables ) Jockey Bejarano R – Any horse this trainer puts Bejarano on board, you know there is going to be some serious challenge taking place near the wire. While he faltered in his bid to compete in the TC events, his last two starts are starting to show he is coming around. Captured an Alw75 two starts ago, then recently earned respect with a victory in the Gr. III MTH Cup. Bejarano was aboard for that victory. His SRF numbers have been rising with each start, so needs to be considered today.
6 Brady Is A Lady-( Sharis Stables ) Jockey- Lezcano J – Finished ahead of others here in his win in The Peter Pan race.Since that event he put in a gallant effort in the Gr. I Belmont, then his most recent he was one length out in the Gr. II Dandy over this very surface. Broke from the nine hole in that race, and should like this mid post much better. Weight should not be an issue as he has been constantly carrying max weight this season. Definitely feel he will grab a share, just which position is the question.
7 War Command ( Estero Farms ) Jockey- Lanerie C J – Has just one maiden win in ten career starts, and that is not a stellar record you want to stand behind coming to an event like this one. Granted I am not the trainer and I have no idea what is going on behind the scenes, but this event will be an uphill battle from the very start. His conformation says he should be kicking ass by now, but sometimes patience and maturity could be the only answer. The investment was minimal, but the overall cost might hurt. I’m Out.
8 Beach Dandy ( John Henry ) Jockey- Castellano J J– This seasons Kentucky Derby winner, was set to sell following his miss in the PRK Stakes, and a buyer stepped forward with the cash. Since then this trainer followed tradition and sent him to the Belmont, but he failed to produce a victory ending ninth, five out. Bejarano was aboard for that event and now his regular rider is back and that may make this 16.3 giant a little more comfortable. Needs to rekindle the flame.
9 Unfold ( Mb Stables ) Jockey- Hernandez R M.- Another runner in this group who never attempted any of the TC races, but is coming here off of back to back victories. Took home the Gr. III OH Derby two starts ago with a closing effort, then captured the Gr. II Dandy ahead of others entered here. Both those wins came when he was carrying 122 pounds, so the weight here wont be an issue, and add to that this rider was in the irons for both those affairs, makes this a triple threat. When your hot your hot, so could very well go three for three.
10 For The Boys ( D J C Racing Stables ) Jockey- Bravo J.– After two failed attempts against graded company in early April and May, trainer sat down with rider Joe Bravo and the two of them worked out a plan for this ones future. After capturing the Commentator at BEL, he has comeback to two third place finishes going a mile and an eighth in both. The added distance should suit his late effort kick he demonstrates, and this will be the fourth straight horse/jockey combination. Though the post is not ideal, placed correctly and this one can upset the apple cart late.
11 Bad Bad Boy ( Fractious ) Jockey- Gaffalione T – Was a purchase in mid May for this trainer and he stole the show winning a Clm40 race in first asking. Since that race, he went second in the Gr. III LA Derby, then finish fifth three lengths back in the Gr. II Dandy with others racing here. Has three wins in eight career starts, and while his total earnings are nothing to write home about, the addition of a talented rider like he has today could find him being more productive on the day. Don’t think he can win from this post, but improvements will show.
Scratched– Demon, Mercedes Benz
Duffer
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
