Spot Plays for 2019 Travers Day at Saratoga

Spot Plays for Saratoga’s Travers Day card will begin in the 5TH Race on Saturday. Where else are you going to get three straight Grade 1s going seven furlongs? Race 5 is the Forego Stakes (G1) for older horses going seven furlongs on a main track that should be listed as fast. There is a very good chance that MITOLE (#3) (4-5) might be going the wrong way. His third here in the Vanderbilt Stakes (G1) was his lowest BRIS Speed rating in eight starts and maybe that brilliant effort winning the Met Mile (G1) has set him back. If he is vulnerable, I think FIRENZE FIRE (#6) (7-2) can step into the breach. He has been inconsistent lately but on his best effort, he fits with these. I like his win in the $150,000 Runhappy Stakes where he came from off the pace to win going away in 1:08. Last two starts were even and seven furlongs should hit him right between the eyes. PROMISES FULFILLED (#1) (5-2) won the Amsterdam Stakes (G3) and H. Allen Jerkens Stakes (G1) here last year. He comes in off a win going seven furlongs and will be gunned to the front from post one by Luis Saez. Win: #6 Exacta: #1, #3 with #6 Pick 3: #1, #3, #6 with #4, #5, #6 with #1, #2, #8 Pick 3: #6 with #5 with #1, #2, #8 Race 6 is the Ballerina Stakes (G1) for fillies and mares going seven furlongs on the main track. MIA MISCHIEF (#5) (5-1) can sit just off the pace and take advantage of an expected speed duel. She missed winning the Test Stakes (G1) here last year going this distance then won the Distaff Stakes (G1) going seven at Churchill Downs on Derby Day. Her last two six-furlong sprints should have her sharp for this. SEPARATIONOFPOWERS (#4) (9-5) won the Test Stakes (G1) last year coming from just off the pace. She was winless in her next two starts but won a Grade 3 at Belmont Park in good time for Chad Brown who could be sitting on an historic day. MINIT TO STARDOM (#6) (8-1) has won three straight starts since switching to Jose Camejo’s barn including a gate-to-wire win last out here in the Honorable Miss Stakes (G2) going six furlongs. Seven furlongs might be an adventure but she rates a chance if the main track is groomed for speed like it usually is on big Saturdays. Win: #5 Exacta Box: #4, #5 Race 7 is the H. Allen Jerkens (G1) for three-year-olds going seven furlongs on the main track. SHANCEALOT (#1) (1-2) looks too good to be true. He romped by over six lengths two starts back going six furlongs in blazing-fast time at Monmouth Park then shipped here and won the Amsterdam Stakes (G2) by 12 lengths. He came out of that effort with a six-furlong breeze in 1:11 flat back at Monmouth for Jorge Navarro who wins 35% first start after a win. If he gets away cleanly with Emisael Jaramillo who is 8 for 16 tiding for Jorge Navarro. Of the rest, ROWAYTON (#8) (6-1) intrigues me as he turns back in distance. He was an even third in the Dwyer Stakes (G3) going a one-turn mile then weakened last out in the Curlin Stakes going nine furlongs. His prior record in sprints is solid and he should be a big stretch factor here with Joel Rosario. CALL PAUL (#2) (15-1) has won five races in his brief career including a Grade 2 win here last year going 6 1/2 furlongs. He woke up with blinkers added to win a stakes race by six lengths at Penn National then failed miserably in his turf debut over a yielding course. Son of Friesen Fire can chase the pace with Irad Ortiz Jr. Exacta: #1 with #2, #8 PHOTO: Mitole (c) Horsephotos.com/Cecilia Gustavsson