Wonder Gadot Looks for Travers Stakes Glory

Saratoga drew for the Traves Stakes on Tuesday. Good Magic shows up as the morning line favorite at 2-1. Trainer Chad Brown also saddles the second choice on the morning line, Gronkowski. Gronk's been on the shelf since his second place finish in the Belmont Stakes. Third choice on the morning line is Queen's Plate winner Wonder Gadot.

Check out my Top 4 picks for this Saturday's Mid-Summer Derby, the Travers Stakes!

Wonder Gadot Looks for Travers Stakes Glory

1. Wonder Gadot

I guess, I showed my hand by naming my blog, "Wonder Gadot Looks for Travers Stakes Glory". I know I'm not the only one who believes she beats the boys in the Travers Stakes. Before getting into why she's my top pick, it's worth mentioning that if Wonder Gadot does beat the fellas and wins the Travers Stakes on Saturday, she'll be the first filly to do so since Lady Rotha in 1915.

The way she pulled away over the artificial track in the Queen's Plate was nice. She followed that up with a front-running victory in the Prince of Wales over the mud at Fort Erie. She's been training lights out. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. will put her in the race right away. That's not a bad strategy in this field. She could wire if Bravazo and Trigger Warning don't want to press too hard. Or, she could sit right off, go by those two, and increase her lead in the stretch.

2. Gronkowski

Of Chad's two entrants, I prefer Gronkowski more than Good Magic. Gronk's run in the Belmont Stakes is still one of the most impressive performances by any 3-year-old this year. Yep, he didn't win the Test of Champions. He just finished second to a Triple Crown winner.

Gronk was 14 lengths behind Justify, who loped along on the lead without a single horse threatening him. Gronkowski always fires. It doesn't matter how long the race, or how many lengths he's behind. He doesn't mind navigating through traffic while jockey Joel Rosario is a master at navigating horses through traffic.

3. Tenfold

When trainer Steve Asmussen gets them good, think Gun Runner, they stay good. Tenfold got good when he won the Jim Dandy. He bore out in the stretch after seeing the infield screen at Saratoga. Some believe that could destroy his chances on Saturday because he'll freak again once he sees the screen again.

Even though he bore out, he still won. Also, after repeat viewings of the Jim Dandy, it's apparent that the horse straightened himself out well before the wire. Maybe, Tenfold figured out he had been staring at a screen? I think so!

4. Good Magic

Good Magic romped in the Haskell Invitational. But, he didn't beat much. There's also a chance he peaked in the Haskell. He must step up his game to beat a monster like Wonder Gadot. Good Magic will put in a run, but I believe it's only good enough for fourth.