See the 9 horses who could start in the Travers

Nine horses have been nominated to the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes on Aug. 28 at Saratoga.

But with leading 3-year-old Essential Quality looming over the field, it would be no surprise if a much smaller group made it to the starting gate.

Consider, for example, the Whitney (G1), where only four others took on the formidable Knicks Go. Like Essential Quality, he is trained by Brad Cox. And he won the Whitney by 4 1/2 lengths.

Essential Quality, fourth in the Kentucky Derby, is coming off stretch-battle wins in the Jim Dandy (G2) and Belmont Stakes. He worked a bullet five furlongs in 59.4 seconds at Saratoga on Saturday.

One nominee for the Travers is Weyburn, who was fourth in the Jim Dandy. Trainer Jimmy Jerkens told Horse Racing Nation a few days after that race that both Saturday's Queen's Plate at Woodbine and the Travers were under consideration.

But in a text message Tuesday, Jerkens told HRN that the Queen's Plate is out of the picture. Regarding the Travers, "we are still undecided but felt it was foolish not to at least nominate," he said. "This week's training may determine" the next start for Weyburn.

Another potential starter is Dynamic One, winner of the Curlin Stakes in his first start since an 18th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. Trainer Todd Pletcher said after the race, "I think he definitely showed that he is capable of stepping up, and we were looking at this as a potential Travers prep."

Here is a look at the other nominees.

Bourbonic. Another Pletcher colt, he has not won in three graded-stakes starts since his victory in the Wood Memorial (G2), in which he beat Dynamic One and Weyburn.

Keepmeinmind. Robertino Diodoro's colt has not won in six graded-stakes starts since finishing first in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), but he is the one who took Essential Quality to the wire in the Jim Dandy.

King Fury. His 10th-place finish in the Saratoga Derby (G1) was his first career start on turf. Before that he finished second in the Ohio Derby (G3) and won the Lexington (G3) for trainer Kenny McPeek.

Masqueparade. The Al Stall Jr.-trained colt was third in the Jim Dandy but beat King Fury and Keepmeinmind in the Ohio Derby.

Midnight Bourbon. He was on the other end of the Hot Rod Charlie disqualification in the Haskell (G1), stumbling and throwing his rider after the two clipped heels. Before that he was second in the Preakness for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Miles D. Chad Brown's nominee finished 1 3/4 lengths behind Dynamic One to place second in the Curlin. That was his first start since breaking his maiden on second try in June.