Here are 2 value horses to play on Travers Stakes undercard

Even though the favorites appear strong in the undercard stakes races leading up to the $1.25 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday, there are some great prices to uncover as well. Perhaps the key is to find races where the pace scenario plays in the favor of the overlaid horse.

Here are value horses to consider for the Grade 1, Forego Stakes and Grade 1, H. Allen Jerkens Memorial. Although these two horses are not similar in odds, they each represent value relative to their ability. Also included are suggested ways to play them. 

Saratoga Race 7: Forego Stakes (G1)

Elite Power has been a reliable favorite to use considering his eight-race winning streak that includes the recent Vanderbilt Stakes (G1) on this course. In the Vanderbilt, he dug in and overcame a slow pace.

Now, Elite Power faces another unfavorable pace scenario in the Forego. Although he probably will win again, the speedy Pipeline also deserves consideration, if not to win, then at least for the runner-up position.

In last year’s edition of the Forego, Pipeline pressed the favorite Jackie’s Warrior in the early stages before fading slightly in the stretch to finish third behind the powerful closer Cody’s Wish and Jackie’s Warrior in second.

This Forego contains no speed horse on the level of Jackie’s Warrior. Instead, Pipeline’s main pace opponent is Gunite, who does not want the lead in most cases. Gunite prefers to track or stalk the leader.

Pipeline faded to sixth in his local comeback race Aug. 3 in a one-mile optional claimer. But trainer Chad Brown sometimes uses races to get his stakes horses back into shape. For example, look at Blazing Sevens’s progression from his earlier races this year to his Preakness Stakes effort.

At double-digit odds or slightly below that, Pipeline is usable. If nothing else, he could make the exacta pay more as the runner-up horse to Elite Power.

Win/place: 4 (at 8-1 or higher)

or

Exacta: 3 over 4

Saratoga Race 9: Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1)

Fort Bragg might not seem like an overlay considering his 5-2 morning-line odds and the famous Bob Baffert as his trainer. He also just won the Dwyer Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park, which means he comes here in great form. In most cases, the public will get excited to play this horse.

But with his stablemate Arabian Lion present, as well as the flashy New York Thunder, Fort Bragg could represent value as the third choice in wagering, depending on how they bet New York Thunder.

In his most recent start, New York Thunder won the local Amsterdam Stakes (G3) by 7 1/2 lengths while posting an incredible 110 Beyer Speed Figure. Even though New York Thunder was listed as the co-second choice with Fort Bragg at 5-2 on the morning line, bettors might end up making him the favorite off that gigantic speed figure.

Then why consider Fort Bragg?

Even with the huge figure, New York Thunder faces a brutal pace scenario in this spot with Drew’s Gold, One in Vermillion, Verifying and even Arabian Lion all capable of contesting the lead or applying pressure.

Fort Bragg prefers to run as a tracker or stalker in one-mile races. Now he cuts back to seven furlongs, which makes him more likely to stalk the pace. No matter which speed horses try to keep New York Thunder company early on, Fort Bragg almost certainly will receive some pace.

One negative is that Fort Bragg enters this race as only a Grade 3 winner. But the Dwyer runner-up Saudi Crown did flatter Fort Bragg’s effort by turning in a strong effort in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) to finish second by a nose to Forte. Most observers regard Forte as the leader among 3-year-olds.

Fort Bragg also ran second by a neck to General Jim in the Pat Day Mile (G2) in May. He can make the step forward to win this Grade 1.