The Travers Undercard is Smoking Hot

All eyes will be on American Pharoah as he takes on Texas Red, Frosted, et al in the Travers, but the undercard for the big race is worth getting excited about, as well …

Forego (Grade 1) Private Zone is one of the best horses in the United States, period. Every year the six-year-old gelding has gotten better, and in 2015, his 4-2-1-1 record would look even more impressive if not for the massive late runs of a monster named Honor Code. Both of those losses came at a mile, and back at seven furlongs for the Forego, I believe the Good Friends’ runner is even tougher. The likely favorite threw in a big bullet over the track, and looks to be ready to roll on Saturday -- I see Private Zone as strictly the one to beat. Having said that, this race is pretty loaded. The Big Beast is healthy again, a tiger at Saratoga, and an unlucky loser last time in the Vanderbilt. Tamarkuz loomed a threatening presence in his first race in America, which was a strong edition of the Met Mile, so any improvement second time out for trainer, Kiaran McLaughlin could make him a big threat. Of the others, both Race Day and Wildcat Red have the ability to win a big Grade 1 race on a showcase afternoon, and Salutos Amigos has won stakes in bunches since last fall.

Sword Dancer (Grade 1) Flintshire has run in many of the world’s biggest races, and he’s run well in all of them. A winner in the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase in December, the globetrotting son of Dansili has also finished second in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Breeders’ Cup Turf, Dubai Sheema Classic, Prix Foy, and Grand Prix de Saint Cloud in the last year. On his best, he stands over this Sword Dancer field, but there are a few other interesting candidates that would be happy to have him settle for another second place check. Among them is Messi. Nothing to write home about in Europe, the German-bred has really come to hand for trainer Graham Motion in the United States. He manhandled his competition in two straight allowance races, with the addition of Lasix since arriving stateside, including a much the best win at the Spa on August 6. He looks the part of a serious stakes horse. Of the rest, Twilight Eclipse always demands respect, Red Rifle is coming off a career best, and Guardini shows plenty of class back in Europe, and will add Lasix for his U.S. debut.

King’s Bishop (Grade 1) Holy Boss streaks into his first Grade 1 attempt of the year on a four-race win streak, with each victory better than the last. He deserves to be favored on Saturday, but this will be by far his toughest test to date. Runhappy, on the outside, is a major talent with a high turn of speed for trainer Maria Borell. That one, as well as the Florida invader, Grand Bili, should ensure a lively pace, along with the favorite. This could set things up for someone to close, but finding the best of that bunch is easier said than done. Respect for Mr. Z, March, Classy Class, Loose on the Town, Limousine Liberal, and all of them for a matter of fact in this wide open affair, but I am going to land on Competitive Edge as my top pick. To do this, I drew a line through his Woody Stephens, and did not hold his loss at the hands of American Pharoah against him. I still believe he is a major talent who should do well in a longer sprint like the King’s Bishop. He should have gotten plenty out of the Haskell, and he demonstrated a big fondness for the Saratoga track, with two huge wins as a juvenile.

Personal Ensign (Grade 1) Stopchargingmaria looked last year’s champion filly Untapable in the eye in Saratoga’s recent Shuvee, and proved to be the better mare on that day. And you know what? I was not surprised. The Repole mare has always been good, but the winner of 8-of-14 lifetime is only getting better now at four, and she loves the Spa, to boot. Meanwhile, Untapable is clearly not the same filly that she was in 2014. Dominant as a three-year-old, she has lost a little bit this year. She’s still good enough to beat most, but was beaten on the square by Maria last time, and I see no good reason to expect a different result in the Personal Ensign. Sheer Drama has been first or second in each of her six starts this year, and comes off a nice win in the historic Delaware Handicap. She looks to be the most likely one to break up the game for the top two.

Ballerina (Grade 1) Unbridled Forever ran a huge race to run by the speedy Stonetastic in the recent Shine Again Stakes. That one did surprise me, as I expected the front runner to cruise home on August 5, but the Dallas Stewart-trained miss uncorked a big late run to nail her rival just before the wire. Perhaps even more impressively, that big effort was her first race back since the October 31 Breeders’ Cup Distaff. With plenty of speed to run at, led by the classy La Verdad, a similar effort by Unbridled Forever would see her earn her first Grade 1 victory on Saturday. The other one I like in here is Dame Dorothy, who has already won three stakes this year. Better yet, the Bobby Flay color bearer also has a perfect 4-for-4 record at the tricky seven furlong distance. She wired the Bed O’ Roses last time, but she should sit a good stalking trip in this one. The likely favorite is the aforementioned NY-bred La Verdad, but I like the other two better with the extra furlong of the Ballerina.

Ballston Spa (Grade 2) Tepin may have had her winning streak snapped, but her performance in the Grade 1 Diana was good enough to win on most days. If the daughter of Bernstein can work out a good stalking trip from the rail under Julien Leparoux, she has a great chance to jump right back into her winning ways. Coffee Clique has already gone down in defeat to Tepin twice this year, but the multiple graded stakes winner does have the advantage of a confidence builder, having scored in the Dr. James Penny at Parx last time. The Chilean import, Dacita, has found a tough spot for her U.S. debut, but the now Chad Brown trained mare put together an excellent record running in her native land. The speedy Kitten’s Queen has proven to be in this class of late, and once again is a threat on the lead. My Miss Sophia has been very solid in her first two turf tries, but will need to improve off her 4th in the Diana.