Scully’s Travers Day Spot Plays

Thirteen races, including seven stakes, will be offered on today’s Travers Day program and here are some of my opinions:

Race 3

I’m playing three separate Pick 5 tickets with #8 SILVER DUST (7-2 morning line) singled on all – planning to build the bankroll with the confirmed front-runner. He’s facing different circumstances from last time when he caught a speed-laden field; wire to wire with Luis Saez.

Race 5

Speed play on turf with #2 BIRD’S EYE VIEW (6-1), who enters in strong form for New Jersey-based trainer Michael Dini.

Race 8

Not sold on any of the top contenders in the Ballerina (G1) and tabbing longshot #4 CAIRENN (15-1), who enters on the upswing for Graham Motion. Four-year-old filly has a chance to earn her first stakes tally.

Race 10

#10 SADLER’S JOY (7-2) runs well on the inner turf course at Saratoga but can be pace dependent. He got the right set when capturing last year’s Sword Dancer (G1) and today’s field has three front-runners; he can make it two straight.

Race 11

Three-time Travers winner D. Wayne Lukas used the Haskell (G1) as a prep and BRAVAZO (12-1) ran a huge race for second behind Good Magic despite losing a shoe at the start, reducing the winner’s margin in the stretch as he finished six lengths clear of second. The Coach worked Bravazo three times in an 11-day window from August 8-19 (half-mile move and pair of five-furlong drills) and I like the draw in post 4; Bravazo will be sitting right behind the early leaders waiting to pounce and is my play in the 149^th running of the “Mid-Summer Derby.”

Good luck!