Attacking Travers Day

Saratoga (Horsephotos.com/Jamie Newell)

by Joe Kristufek

Digging deep into the seven graded stakes that compromise Travers Day at Saratoga, I unearthed a mixture of potential slam dunks, races where I think I can narrow and others where I’ll be forced to spread. I feel like the opinions are good, now it’s just a matter of playing them the right way, the horses and jockeys doing their jobs and the stars aligning.

“A” horses represent my potential plays in the Travers Day $16,000 Place Payout. B & C horses are horses I will also use in multi-race wager scenarios

6TH Race – H. Allen Jerkens Stakes (G1), 7 furlongs dirt

On paper, it looks to me like only three horses can win – Promises Fulfilled (#1) (8-5 ML) on the lead, Engage (#3) (4-1) from a stalking position or Firenze Fire (#8) (5-2) from a little farther out of it. The wild card, Gidu (#6) (10-1), is also somewhat intriguing and regardless of the finish, as the only other potential speed, he should play an important role in the race. He’s been routing and the pedigree is turfy, but he did fire a bullet work on Saratoga dirt July 27.

Promises Fulfilled smoked Engage in the Amsterdam (G3) last out, but the overall resumes are interchangeable to me. The edge goes to Firenze Fire, who after a less than inspiring spring on the road to the Kentucky Derby (G1), and settle into being a one-turn horse. His win in the Dwyer (G3) was explosive and I trust him the most.

A – 8
B – 1, 3
C – 6

7TH Race – Personal Ensign (G1), 1 1/8 miles dirt

If Abel Tasman (#1) (6-5) doesn’t win this race, the chances of me having a profitable day will decrease significantly. She’s my favorite to win the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) and I truly think she’s one of the best horses in training, male or female. She had a troubled trip and was on the wrong part of the track in the La Troienne (G1) at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks Day, and her follow-up romp in the Ogden Phipps (G1) at Belmont was simply breathtaking. From the rail draw, I’m guessing Mike Smith nudges his partner out of the gate to hold position, lets the speed clear, and then takes over early on the backstretch. We’ve seen this act before.

Based on her reputation and comfortable comeback win in the Delaware Handicap (G2), Elate (#6) (7-5) will take plenty of action as the second choice. She’s obviously the main threat, but I seriously believe she will have to run a lot better and Abel Tasman will need to regress in order for her to win. She beat absolutely nothing in the seasonal debut and I was far from overwhelmed visually.

A – 1
C – 6