Travers Stakes and Saratoga Pick:
Traverse Day is fast approaching at Saratoga Race Course. Not only is it one of the most anticipated races of the year, but it also features some of the stars of the sport in five Grade 1 races across the card. We can't wait to see Verva take to the track in the Ballerina and Measured Time and Silver Knot battle it out in a Euro battle in the Sword Dancer. So let's take a look at today's picks for Saratoga Race Course.
Travers Stakes, Saratoga, Race #13
The gang is back together for the Midsummer Derby, with two big new members. The first is filly number one Soaped Anna. She's done her best against the other fillies, so now it's her turn to take on the colts. She's a little behind in the numbers, but that's not entirely fair to her. She's yet to put in an effort in the races she's won so far, she's just outshone her rivals, and she's looked more impressive than any of the colts in this race. She shouldn't have a problem with the increased distance, and she seems to run at her own pace every time. The biggest criticism of her would be the way the race unfolded. From the one post, she'll have to take an early position and run at a very fast pace.
The other new horse is #4 Corporate Power, who finished second at the Curlin. He needs to improve to win, but he will run perfectly in this race. This horse is the only one who wants to set the pace in the race and will be the first of five horses who want to take the lead in this race. He is also reasonably priced at 15-1.
The #8's intensity will help him break through from the outside with blistering pace, and his early positioning will be key with #7 Dornoch on the inside.
They also have to deal with Unmatched Wisdom, the third place, who attacks them from the start. If any of the three escape, they can win. I can't imagine a world in which that would happen.
This pace is good for the second-placed Sierra Leonean, who will come up late. He hasn't won a big race yet, but today is his best chance given the pace he's set. Keep your eyes on the track. He wasn't able to come up on Belmont Day, but he's been good this week.
Saratoga Prediction: 4-2-1-8
Bet: $50 Win #4
H. Allen Jerkins, Saratoga, Race #12
This is one of the more intriguing races in racing today for 3-year-olds going 7 furlongs. #8 Book'em Danno has back-to-back wins including a Grade 1 at this distance on the Saratoga Dirt and will be one of the favorites.
He came from behind the pace with both horses that day to edge out fifth-placed Prince Of Monaco. Bukem Dano will run a similar race today with plenty of pace to go around. Prince Of Monaco got off to a poor start in that race and made a ferocious move, but he didn't get caught up in the pace early on and that mostly worked to his advantage. I expect him to be much closer today.
Second-placed Speakeasy will be running in his first stakes race today, but in just two starts he has shown some of the best talent in the world. He beat a highly-anticipated horse on his debut and then dominated older horses despite a poor performance last time out. The question is whether he's too early for this level, but the talent is there and the price should be reasonable. He's on the morning line at 8-1.
#1 World Record is an absolute ball of speed coming off the rails. Always dangerous in a race like this. There are other speed signs but it seems to be the fastest in the early going. If you manage to get off the inside post be careful.
Saratoga Prediction: 8-2-5-1
Bet: $50 Win #8
Spot Play:
Saratoga Race #11 – $50 Win #8
Saratoga Race #10 – $50 Exacta 3-5
