The Travers - An Early Preview
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Photo:
Eclipse Sportswire
The Travers 2011
Wide open! A year of surprise after surprise has brought racing's glamour division into virtual gridlock. If the championship race were a horse race, there would be seven horses within a half-length at the quarter pole. It is time for someone, anyone, to step up and take the lead in this di
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1. Ruler On Ice (Roman Ruler-Champagne Glow, by Saratoga Six) 8-1
He proved not only his class with a win in the Belmont, but also his ability to handle a classic distance. His Haskell performance was not dazzling, but the grinder effort should serve as a perfect way for the Kelly Breen runner to fire his best shot on August 27. Expect him to have attractive odds once again. | |
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2. Stay Thirsty (Bernardini-Marozia, by Storm Bird) 3-1
It appears to be a New York thing for this Repole-Pletcher charge. Excellent races in the Gotham, Belmont, and Jim Dandy are accompanied by dull efforts in Florida and Kentucky. If the Jim Dandy represents the real Stay Thirsty, he will be a major factor in the Travers.
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3. Coil (Point Given-Eversmile, by Theatrical) 5-2
Baffert's late bloomer seems to have all the tools. Bred to excel at a distance, his Haskell performance points out his coming around as he looks to complete a summer double last done by his daddy. Mixed messages on his Spa workout keep us guessing on his liking for the track. | |
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4. Shackleford (Foresty-Oatsee, by Unbridled) 3-1
How can you not admire the 2011 Preakness champ? He continues to outrun his pedigree with a heart as big as can be. It is still a question whether 10 furlongs is optimal, but I have learned to take him lightly at my own peril. He is the one that everyone will have to catch to win the Travers. | |
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5. Rattlesnake Bridge (Tapit-Prall Street, by Cherokee Run) 10-1
Another late bloomer who may be able to make some noise on Saturday. After being Uncle Mo's whipping boy back in March, he has continued to progress for Kiaran McLaughlin. His last was his best yet and his first fast track in a while. Given plenty of time to be sharp and fresh on Travers day.
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6. Raison d'Etat (A.P. Indy-Sightseek, by Distant View) 15-1
Get a load of the breeding on this one. He's not bad to look at either. Each race is better than the last, he has a race over the track, and is conditioned by a master, in Bill Mott. Still I wonder if this too big a step up for him to take home the big prize.
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7. J W Blue (Sky Mesa-Kentucky Storm, by Dynaformer) 20-1
Interesting long shot from the Tony Dutrow barn continues to run good, but not winning races in stakes company. Out of the clouds style may be best suited for a minor award here, but if the favorites start to get leg weary at the eighth pole, this longshot could be ready to make some noise late.
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8. Moonshine Mullin (Albert The Great-Mullen Road, by Distant View) 20-1
On the good side, this Canadian shipper seems to be better than ever, and he did finish with good energy in the Jim Dandy. The bad news is that was his career best performance in the Jim Dandy and he still was absolutely no match for Stay Thirsty.
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9. Bowman's Causeway (Giant's Causeway-Victory Encounter, by Victory Speech) 20-1
After a fourth and a second in the first two legs of the Canadian triple crown, this one is thrown into a whole new realm of runner at Saratoga. The Canadian sophomores are simply not that good, so this one would be a major surprise even if he is trained by red hot Chad Brown.
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[Who will move to the head of the sophomore class with a win in the Travers? See where things stand now on HRN's 3yo Power Rankings]
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