Subject: Travers Day 2024
I've picked out some interesting races that have the most familiar names (can't do that with 2YO races, but you can with the post KYD 3YOs). Note that there are more races on the page URLs that you might check out.
At Saratoga on Saturday... (there are a lot of 7f races today).
There is the Ballerina Stakes for 3YO and Up F (7f not 9F):
[ URL above; Saturday August 24, 2024; Saratoga - Race 10; PPs ]
Not sure if
Munny's Gold will be there, but
Vahva will likely be the post time favorite; she is sharp as a tack right now.
Scylla has been really good and lost to a tough
Adare Manor last out.
Accede and
Society have credentials too. This is a 7f race, so these sprinters might not last. Great betting race. I would not pick Munny's Gold if she's in here.
I'll just mention that on the line above the Ballerina is a pointer to the Sword Dancer on the turf.
In the 12th is the H Allen Jerkins (7f), for 3YO male sprinters:
[ URL above; Saturday August 24, 2024; Saratoga - Race 12; PPs ]
Another great race!
Book'em Danno is possibly in (cross entered with another race mentioned upstream); he was life and death winning his last race at 1/5. But I don't think he was prepped for his best effort like he will be today. Lightly raced
World Record will be a contender as will
Prince Of Monaco,
Little Ni,, and
Domestic Product.
Speak Easy is undefeated and has tremendous potential. I'd take Book'em Danno over Prince Of Monaco. The jockeys are all familiar names too.
The Forego is race 10 (7f):
[ URL above; Saturday August 24, 2024; Saratoga - Race 10; PPs ]
I saw Forego win at 7f, so the race name is deserved; but Forego could win at any distance.
Gun Pilot should be your race favorite.
Mullikan is on a streak and will be competitive.
Race 13 is .. The Travers:
[ URL above; Saturday August 24, 2024; Saratoga - Race 13; PPs ]
Thorpedo Anna is of course the interesting horse, but she will have to be at her best to win this. She has a 5 lb weight advantage and
Dornoch,
Fierceness, and
Sierra Leone all have higher speed figures, but they don't always show up. Thorpedo Anna and Dornoch have been the most consistent really. But Thorpedo Anna has an X-Factor; she's not been challenged. To quote Victor Mature/Samson from 'Samson and Delilah', "who knows the strength of ropes that have never been tested?" Fierceness loves Saratoga. So I'm thinking that Fierceness, Dornoch, and Thorpedo Anna might be a good triple box. I'm thinking that Dornoch will take the lead with Fierceness stalking and Anna nearby. If Dornoch has enough of a lead, he won't be caught. Fierceness could run him down if he's within 1.5 lengths. Thorpedo Anna is a bit of a wild card, because she hasn't been tested. Sierra Leone has not shown that he can run down a superior horse, so I'll pass on him (famous last words). Should be exciting. My pick is Dornoch over Fierceness.
On the left coast is the Pat O'Brien Stakes:
[ URL above; Saturday August 24, 2024; Del Mar - Race 9; PPs ]
Pat O'Brien was an actor who, along with Bing Crosby, helped to build Del Mar. He also is best known for playing Knute Rockne in the movies;
The Gipper was played by Ronald Reagan in this movie; if you didn't know before, you know now where RR got his nickname. Does this mean Pat O'Brien was the (honorary) 5th horseman of Notre Dame?? But who was a better Rockne? O'Brien or Rudy?
Sorry.. But I digress.
The Chosen Vron makes another appearance.
Raging Torrent is in great shape and his speed figures are comparable.
Senor Buscador makes an appearance too; this is the first race since he padded his earnings with big checks in the Middle East. He probably won't be sharp, but come from (way!) behind horses don't have his class. And besides, Senor Buscador is NOT a sprinter; unless he stalks the pace, he won't be able to catch up to the top 2 IMHO. I'm thinking that the Senor is in this race to help get him into shape; I'm leaving him out of the exacta. Vron over Torrent.
Any opinions? Fun Races!
Larry
DevilHorse