Betting With, and Against, Sovereignty in the Travers

A compact field of five sophomores will travel 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga on Saturday in the $1.25 million Travers S. (G1). The headliner of the ‘Midsummer Derby’ is Godolphin homebred #4 Sovereignty (2-5), who is the clear leader of the division after posting a trio of fantastic tallies in succession leading up to this contest. Trained by Bill Mott, the Into Mischief three-year-old comes in with victories in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont S. (G1), and Peter Pan S. (G2) as of late, and there is plenty of reason to believe that he has room to evolve even more. 

Sovereignty – With 

• $20 trifecta key 4 with 1,3 ($40)

Sovereignty – Against

• $10 trifecta 1,3 with 1,3,4 with 1,3,4 ($40)

His Peter Pan was designed as a prep run for the Travers, and the colt will move forward off of that performance on Saturday. The standout has become more interested in the early portion of his races as of late while still possessing his potent turn of foot, and he will have to have an off day for someone to upset him on this occasion. Junior Alvarado will stay in the silks. 

Steve Asmussen’s #1 Magnitude (2-1) burst onto the scene with a resounding win in the Risen Star S. (G2) at Fair Grounds in February, and, following time off to recover from a set back, he proved that his big win was far from a fluke when returning with a powerful, 9 ¼-length romp in the Iowa Derby in his return. The son of Not This Time has surely flipped the proverbial switch after being a bit inconsistent in the early stages of his development, and the bay comes in with five solid morning moves at this venue, including three on the main oval. He has speed and an advantageous rail draw to flaunt his early foot from the break, and the $450,000 yearling purchase might get brave if left alone for too long on the front end with Ben Curtis retaining the ride. 

Chad Brown’s #3 Strategic Focus (6-1) looked like he was going to run off to a big win in the recent Curlin S. on the surface before being outrun late, most recently, and will add blinkers for his graded debut. The Gun Runner chestnut earned a massive 107 Brisnet Speed figure two back in an allowance heat on the oval and is obviously full of talent, so if the equipment change keeps him focused and moves him forward, then the colt can surely impact this race with Flavien Prat in the stirrups.