A third Brown entrant, Grade 2 heroine Fluffy Socks (7-2), was runner-up in the Matchmaker. Brown also trains Lemista (3-1), an Irish Group 2 winner who took Monmouth Park’s Matchmaker Stakes (G3) on July 23. Chad Brown trains the Grade 2-winning, 4-year-old Kingman filly, who will have jockey Jose Ortiz up. Technical Analysis (1-1) won a pair of Saratoga stakes last season and was runner-up earlier this meet in the Diana Stakes (G1) on July 16. – $400,000 Ballston Spa Stakes (G2), 4-and-up fillies and mares, 1 1/16 miles (turf), Saratoga, FS1 Related: Friday night live stream: Handicap the Saratoga Saturday card | Watch: Travers day mandatory payout sequenceġ:17 p.m. Here is a look at graded stakes taking place Saturday at Saratoga and elsewhere. With the Labor Day close of the 40-day Saratoga summer meet nearing, the New York Racing Association is responding to concerns about the main track expressed by three of the game’s most prominent trainers. On this week’s edition of HorseCenter, hosts Brian Zipse and Shifman offer analysis and top picks for the Travers Stakes and Personal Ensign Stakes (G1), two races from Saratoga with championship implications.Ĭharge It romped in the Dwyer Stakes (G3) by 23 lengths and was set to be a short price in the Travers but is missing the race due to a foot abscess. This week on the Ron Flatter Racing Pod, jockey Florent Géroux discusses Cyberknife’s bid to win the signature event at Saratoga. In this video, Bessa discusses the chart for the Travers. “I think there is a vulnerability with each and every one of those horses," Ray Shattuck said of the 3-year-old division.Ĭharting Horse Value, a product developed by Jeff Bessa, is a major handicapping timesaver. Peggy and Ray Shattuck will take the shot of a lifetime by entering Ain't Life Grand, their homebred Iowa Derby winner, in the Travers Stakes. Horse Racing Nation's Andrew Capone hit the Saratoga backside this week to talk to Rich Strike trainer Eric Reed and Ain’t Life Grand conditioner Kelly Von Hemel. “It’s really very shocking how everything fell into place.”Īgainst a dark and disturbing backdrop, brilliant trainer Chad Brown will take three shots at the breakthrough victory he covets in the Travers. “It’s like a movie, isn’t it?” marvels Cyberknife owner Al Gold. The connections of Travers contender Cyberknife believe he is following the path of his white-hot sire, Gun Runner, by displaying more and more talent with every start. Macatangay also considers whether Epicenter will use his speed and make a heated early pace battle with Early Voting happen. Reinier Macatangay writes that the common knock against Epicenter remains his moderate Beyer Speed Figures, which hover around 100 to 102. He says is a unique situation where Epicenter’s stagnant speed figures are forgivable. “We’re proud of the horse, but you want to win. It’s time to win one of these things,” Steve Asmussen says of Travers favorite Epicenter. Matt Shifman offers Travers Stakes odds and analysis, finding one of trainer Chad Brown’s three entries to be the top choice. Visit Horse Racing Nation’s free past performances page for more information on the Travers Stakes. TimeformUS’ pace projections show Early Voting taking the early lead under jockey Jose Ortiz, with favorite Epicenter finding a spot mid-pack. Early Voting (Chad Brown, Jose Ortiz), 8-1Ĩ. Epicenter (Steve Asmussen, Joel Rosario), 7-5ħ. Artorius (Chad Brown, Irad Ortiz Jr.), 9-2Ħ. Gilded Age (Bill Mott, Junior Alvarado), 30-1ĥ. He held off Epicenter to win the Preakness but finished last of four in the Jim Dandy, weakening late after enjoying an uncontested lead.Ĥ. He finished behind that rival in the Risen Star, Kentucky Derby and most recently in the Jim Dandy, where he was runner-up.Įarly Voting (8-1) is the longest shot of Brown’s three entries on the morning line. Stablemate Zandon (5-1) won the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) but is 0-for-3 this year when facing Epicenter. He crossed the wire 4 3/4 lengths in front that day to stamp himself a Travers prospect. The Brad Cox trainee also took the Arkansas Derby (G1) and Matt Winn Stakes (G3) this season although he finished 18th in the Kentucky Derby.Īrtorius (9-2) makes his graded-stakes debut for trainer Chad Brown off a Curlin Stakes win July 29 at Saratoga. Epicenter’s reigning champion jockey, Joel Rosario, also has never won the mid-summer derby.Ĭyberknife (7-2) can stamp himself the clear frontrunner in this division with a Travers triumph after winning the Haskell Stakes on July 23 at Monmouth Park. Steve Asmussen, North America’s all-time winningest trainer, does not have a Travers trophy in his case. He notched Grade 2 wins in the Risen Star Stakes, Louisiana Derby and last out July 30 in the Jim Dandy Stakes but lacks a Grade 1 score after running second in the Derby and the Preakness. Epicenter will hope to fit the former of those categories.
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