2010 Travers Stakes Features Star Studded Lineup
Contributed By Post Time PetePosted on 8/27/10 2:58 PM
The Grade 1 Travers Stakes takes place at Saratoga Race Course this Saturday, August 28th. The star-studded field consists of 11 three year old colts all vying for a chance at the $1 million dollar purse. The race is 10 furlongs (1 1/4 miles) and post time is scheduled for 5:45 P.M. EDT.
A Little Warm, an Anthony Dutrow colt, is the 7-2 morning line favorite fresh off his win in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy. Trappe Shot, runner-up in the Haskell Invitational, sits right behind him at 4-1.
Here's the lineup for the Travers Stakes:
| Post Position | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | ML Odds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
 |
Miner's Reserve | David Cohen | Nicholas P. Zito | 12-1 |
| 2 |
 |
Trappe Shot | Alan Garcia | Kiaran McLaughlin | 4-1 |
| 3 |
 |
Admiral Alex | Kent Desormeaux | Leon J. Blusiewicz | 12-1 |
| 4 |
 |
First Dude | Ramon Dominguez | Dale Romans | 8-1 |
| 5 |
 |
A Little Warm | John Velazquez | Anthony W. Dutrow | 7-2 |
| 6 |
 |
Ice Box | Julien Leparoux | Nick Zito | 9-2 |
| 7 |
 |
Afleet Express | Javier Castellano | James A. Jerkens | 7-1 |
| 8 |
 |
Fly Down | Jose Lezcano | Nicholas P. Zito | 8-1 |
| 9 |
 |
Friend or Foe | Rajiv Maragh | John C. Kimmel | 15-1 |
| 10 |
 |
Afleet Again | Cornelio Velasquez | Robert E. Reid Jr. | 30-1 |
| 11 |
 |
Super Saver | Calvin Borel | Todd Pletcher | 6-1 |
Trappe Shot, First Dude, Ice Box, Super Saver and Afleet Again are all racing for the first time since the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park earlier this month. Lookin at Lucky, the Haskell winner, has returned to Calfornia and will not participate. Trappe Shot put out a solid effort in the Haskell coming in second to Lookin at Lucky. However, Shot will face some of the best three year olds in the country in this race and I have questions as to whether he can handle the extra eigth of a mile. I will probably still include him in an exacta or trifecta box, but I don't know if he'll have enough in the tank to win the Travers Stakes. Super Saver has proved to me to be a bit of a one hit wonder and, even under Calvin Borel, unless it's raining I won't include Saver in any plays. Afleet Again also didn't put on much of a show at the Haskell dropping back to 5th and while I don't think he'll have a problem with the distance, I believe this field just out classes him.
First Dude caught my eye in The Preakness and while he hasn't won recently he's a hard horse to ignore. Trainer Dale Romans plans to put blinkers on Dude for the first time hoping to spark his focus and that could be a difference maker for this horse. Ice Box should have no problem handling the distance of this race since he's a strong closer, but will need the leaders to set a solid pace. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to find his stride since the Kentucky Derby. I personally believe he hasn't run as well because trainer Nick Zito has been giving him too much time off between races. I think the shorter layoff could be a good move for Ice Box.
A Little Warm, Miner's Reserve, Afleet Express, Friend or Foe, and Fly Down all meet up again for the first time since the Jim Dandy. A Little Warm has been very consistent this year and his win in the Jim Dandy was no fluke. He'll have some competition at the front of the pack, but Warm will be a tough one to put away. Miner's Reserve came in second to A Little Warm in the Jim Dandy and has also never run this distance before. Afleet Express and Friend or Foe are going to need a slower pace to keep up and I don't expect they'll see that in this race. They may challenge for the front early, but unless they can hold it up I can see them fading down the stretch.
Fly Down is a big question mark for me right now. He didn't get the best ride in the Jim Dandy, a race he finished fifth, but I believe he's another Nick Zito horse that was given too much time between races. I'm sure he can handle the distance and while the competition is going to be tough, if he gets a good ride from jockey Jose Lezcano, he may end up in the mix.
Admiral Alex is a bit of a mystery to this field holding only one maiden win at Saratoga. He's another Afleet Alex colt and trainer Leon Blusiewicz is hoping jockey Kent Desormeaux can repeat his success in the Travers.
As things shape up now, my Exacta box figures to include First Dude, A Little Warm, and Trappe Shot. If Ice Box provides some value by post, I may include him in a trifecta. There is also always the possibility track conditions get a little sloppy I'll have to reconsider my stance on Super Saver.
Don't forget to tell me who your picks are below and stay tuned this Saturday, August 28th for some great racing at Saratoga Race Course for the Travers Stakes!
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