Saratoga Picks: Loaded Travers card a stakes extravaganza on August 27

Saratoga Springs, the town north of New York's capital is immersed in equine-related activity! The celebrated Meet is ready for, what could be, one of the best Travers Stakes ever! The focal point of the season is here! Known historically as the "Summer Derby," it is sure to be a memorable one. Today, our analysis will look at all 6 stakes on the card! Have a read ...  

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All-Stakes Summary with Selections …

Race 4: Turf, 1 1/16th, Ballston Spa S. (G2), $400k, F&M 4+

It is probably safe to say that Chad Brown has this race blanketed. We can also assert that Klaravich Stables’ Technical Analysis #5 is head-and-shoulders above the rest. If you are looking for a clear “Single” in any horizontal wager, then this might be your play. By Kingman (GB), a sire that has a European reputation for producing grass runners, this filly has quite a resume. Coming into this race, she has a number of ticks to the good. Getting class relief, a turnback in distance, and Jose Ortiz in the irons … she has all the makings to record another “graded” victory. The only threat she faces is from her stablemate, Lemista #2. Jockey Flavien Prat was on fire at the Meet, and you never know when he can unleash a furious rally.

Selection: 5

Wagering Recommendation: $50 Win #5

Race 5: Dirt, 7F, Forego S. (G1), $600k, 4+

Named for a famed and beloved racehorse from the 1970s, you are going to have the opportunity to see what has to be a future Hall of Famer … Kirk and Judy Robison’s Jackie's Warrior #3. The former Derby Trailer made the switch to dirt sprinting for Steve Asmussen, and it was a seamless transition. He has amassed a career record of 16/12-1-1 … amazing. I have played against this colt by Maclean’s Music many times, and with Joel Rosario aboard, he has turned me back. I am not done trying to take a stand … that could be deemed as pigheadedness, but I will choose to look at it as a betting opportunity. I am going to back Ray Handal’s Three Two Zone #4. The young trainer is looking for that 1st stakes score, and wouldn’t it be great if it was against this HOF trainer, and future HOF horse? In a short amount of time, Handal has given his new charge a real boost. Sometimes a trainer switch can really help a horse take a major step forward. A 4-yr-old colt by Street Sense, he clearly likes the track, after winning a high level OC80kn3x last month. That speed fig he posted, with Dylan Davis aboard, was spectacular. This could be his time! Admission … if “Jackie’s” is on, he will be very tough, but speed can be matched by one thing … speed.

Selection: 4

Wagering Recommendation: $100 Bankroll, Graduated Wager, WPS #4 ($10-W, $15-P, $75-S)

Race 8: Dirt, 7F, Allen Jerkens Memorial S. (G1), $500k, 3

The Jerkens, named for that famous trainer who would try most anything, is going to be a fun one on this Saturday. To most, it appears to be a match race between the young upstart, Michael Tomlinson’s Conagher #1, and Chad Brown’s fireballer, Jack Christopher #6. Of course, the latter will be the favorite with Jose Ortiz in the irons. But it is not a foregone conclusion that the son of Munnings will win the day. In his defense, he does love to sprint, and most would agree (after his failure in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth) that it is a more appropriate distance. I am going to turn my back on both of these entries because I like the “other” Brown play in this spot—Accretive #9. This gelding by Practical Joke is going to be a much better price on the tote. Irad Ortiz just continues to lead the jockey standings at the Meet, and that speaks to his aggressive ability. Opponents of his “style” might think he is dangerous, but I would argue that being a jockey is … not for the faint of heart. Has he made poor choices in the saddle … certainly … but when it comes to making quick decisions, he is the best of the best … turf and dirt. With only a pair of races to his credit, his mount on Saturday afternoon could be in a position to improve after just missing in the Amsterdam S. (G2). Klaravich Stable has yet another talented runner in their midst, and I would not count him out. Look for his odds to be more than square … 5/1? Yes, please …

Selection: 9

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Trifecta Box, 1/6/9

Race 9: Dirt, 1 1/8th, Personal Ensign S. (G1), $600k, F&M 4+

It is time for yet another rematch race in the distaff division … Ladies! Assemble! Once again Letruska #1 (Gutierrez), Search Results #2 (Brown), Clairiere #3 (Asmussen), Crazy Beautiful #4 (McPeek), and Malathaat #5 (Pletcher) will tee it up! Coming into this race off the Shuvee S. (G2), it would appear that Asmussen’s Stonestreet homebred by Curlin has the edge. She won nicely over her foes that are drawn to the outside this time around. Brown’s entry is the only runner to not compete in a G1 last time out. She prepped for this race by winning at a short price in the Molly P. (G3) at Monmouth. Loads of folks gawked as she romped to victory by 3-lengths. I think the biggest question mark coming into this spot is just how Fausto Gutierrez’s greatest charge will handle herself after a disappointing loss in the Odgen Phipps (G1) on the Belmont Stakes undercard? Jose Ortiz has a big task ahead of him, and it remains to be seen if the defending champ can take care of business once again. My top selection will be Search Results #2. The added distance should not be an issue, and Flavien Prat is blistering the competition right now. Klaravich Stables owns a solid runner. If you get 7/2 on the tote … that looks to be a fair price. What a race this is going to be!

Selection: 2

Wagering Recommendation: $50 Win #2

Race 10: Turf, 1½, Sword Dancer S. (G1), $750k, 4+

This year’s Sword Dancer brings together a nice field … including a pair of former champions in Gufo #6 and Channel Maker #9. But make no mistake about it, everyone will be looking at Aidan O’Brien’s Broome #3 in the end. With a powerful turn-of-foot, the 6-yr-old by Australia is the classiest runner here. Looking over his summer form, this horse has faced accomplished European turf specialists like State of Rest, Pyledriver, and Misriff. If he made the journey over, and jockey Ryan Moore can do what he does best … come from the clouds … then I would fully expect that this race could be his for the taking. Remember, he was 2nd behind Yibir (GB) in the Longines Turf (G1) at Del Mar. He will be looking to head back to that purple and white festival. The only other horse that could give him a challenge late in the race is Chad Brown’s Adhamo #1. The winner of the UN (G1) at Monmouth is going to try and make it 2 in-a-row. It will be tough …

Selections: 3

Wagering Recommendation: $2 Exacta Cold, 2 w 1

Race 11: Dirt, 1 ¼, The Travers Stakes (G1), $1.25 Million, 3

It is time for the big one … We have a Derby winner … a horse that was 2nd in a pair of Triple Crown races … the Preakness champ … the victor in the Haskell … and an assortment of others that have a major chance to win this Grade 1. I do not think I could name another Travers that has this kind of depth up and down … top to bottom. I will cut to the chase and tell you this … Rich Strike #2 ran the race of his life at Churchill in KYD148, but he will never duplicate such a G1 feat. Epicenter #6 won the Jim Dandy (G2) last time out, but he is going to be challenged like never before—may not hit-the-board. Both Early Voting #7 and Zandon #8 are excellent colts for Chad Brown, and if I had to choose between them, it would be the latter. Ridden by Flavien Prat, he showed heart in the Derby (G1), and tried valiantly in the Jim Dandy (G2). Given the right pace scenario, he has the wheels to make up ground towards the end of a race. Speaking of that kind of running style, my top selection is going to be Brad Cox’s Cyberknife #1. Owned by Gold Square, the well-bred son of Gun Runner has matured quickly over the summer. I certainly knew he had talent before the Arkansas Derby (G1). Honestly, I thought he was going to win under the Twin Spires. Florent Geroux just had no response from his mount after a pace meltdown put him in the position at the rear of the field. Cox went back to the drawing board, and the colt responded at Monmouth in the Haskell Invitational (G1). That was a sweet win for Gold, and it got the Eclipse Award winning trainer thinking … Travers. Can Cox go back-to-back in this race? Certainly … He has the right jockey, and this 3-yr-old is elevating his game at the proper time. Who cares if Haskell winners have not performed well coming back in August for this Grade … talent is talent. Here we go … it’s the Bottom of the Ninth …

Selection: 1

Wagering Recommendation: Wagering Recommendation: $50 Win #1

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