TRAVERS HIGHLIGHTS SIGNATURE WEEKEND AT THE SPA
The marquee race of the Saratoga meeting, the G1 $1 million Travers Stakes, is expected to draw a superb a well-matched field for this Saturday. Kentucky Derby star Super Saver will be the main attraction for many for leading trainer Todd Pletcher. The sophomore son of Maria’s Mon is winless in a pair of starts since his historic score, but the colt could be ready to fire his best in this test. John Velazquez has the call.
First Dude was a game second in the Preakness S. (G1) and after a hard-trying showing in the Belmont Stakes, the burly son of Stephen Got Even has a fine prep for this when third in the G1 Haskell Stakes for conditioner Dale Romans. The likely front runner stays on no matter what the trip and could be a huge threat with his best. A Little Warm cruised home a most impressive winner in the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes , the key local prep for this, and the Tony Dutrow trainee could be the one with anything close to his latest.
Trainer Nick Zito will have a fine trio to go forward in here; Kentucky Derby second Ice Box, G2 Dwyer Stakes winner at Belmont Stakes runner-up Fly Down and Jim Dandy second Miner’s Reserve. Sharp debut maiden winner Admiral Alex will be making just his second career outing, but the smart colt is not a complete throwout after being live in his first run. Haskell second Trappe Shot is possible here, or may go in the King Bishop Stakes on the Travers undercard. Afleet Express, Pleasant Prince and Steinbeck are also possible for this standout event.
The undercard is loaded with fine runners and races, including the aforementioned King’s Bishop Stakes for three-year-olds at seven-eighths. If Trappe Shot passes on the Travers, the son of Tapit will be the clear one to beat in this dash for conditioner Kiaran McLaughlin. The superb colt has never run a bad one and could peak at this one-turn distance.
Bulldogger destroyed a questionable field in a recent allowance heat and will be wheeled back quickly by Bob Baffert. The smart son of Dixie Union has romped in two starts at the Spa. Standout three-year-old D’ Funnybone is a graded stakes winning machine and would surely be a huge factor for Richard Dutrow with anything near his top performance. Unbeaten Capital Account and dual Grade 2 victor Discreetly Mine make this a compact, yet talented, cast.
Champion Informed Decision is the headliner for the G1 $250,000 Ballerina Stakes. The Jonathan Sheppard-trained daughter of Monarchos will be cutting back in trip and is always the one to beat in a one-turn affair. Likely awaiting her are recent Grade 1 queen Jessica is Back, the mega-talented First Passage, G2 Honorable Miss Stakes queen Secret Gypsy and the in-form Qualia.
Budding superstar Phola, trained by Todd Pletcher, is the standout in the $200,000 Ballston Spa H. (G2). Others likely for this grassy affair include Miss Keller, Cherokee Queen, the smart Dynaslew and Saratoga lover Maram. Multiple Grade 1 heroine Proviso is possible for this, and if she goes, she’d be ultra-tough.
The wide-open, G3 $100,000 Victory Ride Stakes is likely for Katy Now, Rapport, Pica Slew, Tidal Pool and Touching Beauty.
On Sunday, defending Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra will face a stern test in the $300,000 Personal Ensign S. (G1). The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro has run off two wins in succession and looks close to her 2009 form for conditioner Steve Asmussen. The four-year-old star will face one of her toughest tests to date when facing surging star Life At Ten, who has rolled home to sharp graded wins in her last two for Todd Pletcher. Others likely are graded winners Milwaukee Appeal, Miss Singhsix and Persistently.