Saratoga Saturday: Travers Highlights Star-Studded Card

The marquee event of the Saratoga meet takes place Saturday. However, the Travers Stakes is just one of the many grade 1 events highlighting the star-studded card.

Key Changes

With so many stars on the card and a number of highly contentious races it can be hard to separate some of the key contenders. There are are a few things horseplayers should consider before finalizing wagers on the big day.

Jockey Change

Luis Saez was 2nd in the jockey standings at Saratoga before getting injured on Wednesday’s card. Unfortunately, the injury will keep him out for the foreseeable future. Saez is off all his mounts through the weekend including Kentucky Derby winner Mage in the Travers.

Connections have named Flavian Prat to the mount since this injury.

Surface Changes

This Saratoga meet has encountered a lot of rain. Weather reports ahead of the Travers card are not kind to some of the high quality turf races that are carded for the day.

When the turf gathers too much rain, the races may be moved to the main dirt track.

Off Turf

When races come off the turf, they are usually accompanied by a slew of scratches. This can mean massive changes to the pace scenario and flow of the race. Horseplayers are wise to start from scratch when handicapping these races to find the best dirt contenders in a field of turf runners.

Yielding and Soft Going

Sometimes races, particularly the main events, will still be run on the turf courses even after rain has softened the ground. These conditions can sometimes cause dramatically different performances from the usually firm going we get here in the states.

When the track is listed as soft or yielding, look for horses that are lighter framed. These horses can tend to skip over the wet going better than their heavier counterparts.

Full Card Analysis

Saratoga Race Course- 1

Post: 11:40 AM ET; $83k Maiden Special Weight going 7 f on dirt; Entries: 9

• #8 WALSTIB (2-1) should improve off the first start and gets the top selection. He possesses the pedigree to be a major player in this spot. This one maintains even pacing and looks to benefit from a fair pace scenario here.
• #2 CATIRE VIZCAYA (3-1) is expected to improve off the first start and should be competitive in this field. He deserves respect going out with the combination of Avila and Ortiz.
• #7 FIRST TRUMPET (8-1) seems like a fringe contender in this race. He has proven ability to handle these conditions in past starts.
• #3 SECRET LOVER (5-1) is likely to improve from the first start and is probably best to consider for lower positions on most tickets. He enters the race in good form.

Selections: 8 – 2 – 7 – 3

Saratoga Race Course- 2

Post: 12:13 PM ET; $95k Allowance going 5 1/2 f on turf; Entries: 15

• #2 ORTUS (3-1) is the top pick. He holds races good enough to surpass this group. This contender displays consistently strong pace figures which should serve well in a moderately paced race.
• #4 FEATHERS ROAD (10-1) is a price horse and emerges as a major contender in this race. He has shown solidity in recent races and should be primed for a strong performance. This one shouldn’t have difficulty with the distance.
• #1 CITY MISCHIEF (9-5) also appears as a significant contender. He shouldn’t encounter issues with the distance. This entrant boasts the highest overall power rating within the group.
• #6 COURAGEOOUS OH LA (6-1) is not without hope. He shouldn’t face issues with the distance.

Selections: 2 – 4 – 1 – 6

Saratoga Race Course- 3

Post: 12:46 PM ET; $70k Starter Allowance going 1 1/8 m on dirt; Entries: 7

• #4 MISTICAL CURLIN (2-1) appears strongest here. He holds the highest overall power rating within the group.
• #3 MONEY SUPPLY (9-5) is expected to be competitive in this field. He is trained by Sharp and ridden by Saez. This entrant boasts the top overall power rating within the group.
• #1 WHAT’S UP DOC (6-1) could contend for a minor position. He is handled by Ginter and Torres. This contender has displayed consistency in recent races and should be prepared for a strong performance.
• #6 WATASHA (6-1) is not without hope. He is trained by Sharp and ridden by Gaffalione.

Selections: 4 – 3 – 1 – 6

Saratoga Race Course- 4

Post: 1:19 PM ET; $156k Allowance Optional Claiming going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 10

• #9 BOLD JOURNEY (8-1) earns the top selection. He arrives in good form. This entrant is trained by Mott and ridden by Rosario.
• #1 SCOCCIATORE (9-2) is a contender in this race. He makes sense based on speed figures. This contender boasts the highest overall power rating within the group.
• #3 OSBOURNE (6-1) appears competitive in this race. He seems to fit well in this field. This entrant shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.
• #5 SHIVAREE (12-1) is a price horse and is best to consider for lower positions on most tickets. He appears to fit well enough in this field.

Selections: 9 – 1 – 3 – 5

Saratoga Race Course- 5

Post: 1:55 PM ET; $156k Allowance Optional Claiming going 1 3/16 m on turf; Entries: 11

• #1 DYNADRIVE (5-1) garners the top pick. He holds performances sufficient to surpass this group. This contender has demonstrated ability to handle these conditions in past starts.
• #7 JAMES ALOYSIUS (2-1) is expected to be a major player in this race. He should manage the distance comfortably. This contender has displayed consistency in recent races and should be prepared for a strong performance.
• #10 TONAL IMPACT (8-5) is likely to be competitive in this field. He holds solid early pace figures in a race that lacks significant front-running speed. This entrant boasts the highest overall power rating within the group.
• #2 CATCH THAT PARTY (4-1) is likely to be competitive in this field. He is trained by Maker and ridden by Ortiz.

Selections: 1 – 7 – 10 – 2

Saratoga Race Course- 6

Post: 2:31 PM ET; $136.5k Maiden Special Weight going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 13

• #2 COLONIAL ROSE (7-2) is expected to improve from the first start and leads as the top choice. She maintains solid early pace figures in a race that lacks significant front-running speed. This contender holds races sufficient to surpass this group.
• #13 CLEARLY A TEST (8-1) is a contender in this race. She is trained by Camejo and ridden by Ortiz.
• #10 LIFE’S JOY (10-1) is a price horse and has a shot in this race. She is likely to be part of the early pace. This entrant holds solid early pace figures in a race that lacks significant front-running speed.
• #3 ANTENNA (6-1) is likely to improve from the first start and appears competitive in this field. She is handled by the combination of Pletcher and Ortiz.

Selections: 2 – 13 – 10 – 3

Saratoga Race Course- 7

Post: 3:07 PM ET; $500k Forego S. going 7 f on dirt; Entries: 5

• #3 ELITE POWER (1-2) leads as the top selection. He has demonstrated ability to handle these conditions in previous starts. This contender is under the care of Bill Mott and ridden by Ortiz.
• #2 GUNITE (6-5) will likely compete here. He holds the highest overall power rating within the group. This entrant has displayed solidity in recent races and should be prepared for a strong performance.
• #5 SYNTHESIS (20-1) is a price horse and holds hope. He appears to fit well enough in this field.
• #4 PIPELINE (12-1) is a price horse and is likely best for lower positions on most tickets. He is projected to be in the front flight and should have a chance late. This entrant could pose a threat by breaking free on the front end.

Selections: 3 – 2 – 5 – 4

Saratoga Race Course- 8

Post: 3:43 PM ET; $149.5k Allowance going 5 1/2 f on turf; Entries: 16

• #12 SOUTHERN HORSE (7-2) is the top pick. He holds performances sufficient to surpass this group.
• #13 SOUPER QUEST (3-1) is a major contender in this race. He holds performances sufficient to surpass this group. This contender boasts the highest overall power rating within the group.
• #1 ELUSIVE EDGE (10-1) is a price horse and is a major contender in this race. He runs evenly and looks to benefit from a fair pace scenario here.
• #5 HARRY TIME (8-1) is likely to be competitive in this field. He makes sense based on speed figures.

Selections: 12 – 13 – 1 – 5

Saratoga Race Course- 9

Post: 4:19 PM ET; $500k H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S. going 7 f on dirt; Entries: 6

• #5 NEW YORK THUNDER (5-2) appears best in this field. He holds the highest overall power rating within the group.
• #4 FORT BRAGG (5-2) is a major contender in this race. He makes sense based on speed figures. This contender boasts the highest overall power rating within the group.
• #6 ARABIAN LION (2-1) is a major contender in this race. He shouldn’t face issues with the distance. This contender maintains consistently strong pace figures which should work well in a moderately paced race.
• #3 VERIFYING (4-1) is likely a fringe contender in this race. He runs evenly and looks to benefit from a fair pace scenario here. This contender has demonstrated ability to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 5 – 4 – 6 – 3

Saratoga Race Course- 10

Post: 4:55 PM ET; $500k Ballerina H. going 7 f on dirt; Entries: 8

• #7 GOODNIGHT OLIVE (9-5) is the top selection. She could break free on the front end. This contender will likely sit mid-pack and launch a late attack.
• #6 ECHO ZULU (7-5) is a major contender in this race. She holds the highest overall power rating within the group. This entrant has displayed solidity in recent races and should be prepared for a strong performance.
• #5 WICKED HALO (8-1) is likely a fringe contender in this race. She makes sense based on speed figures. This contender has demonstrated ability to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #8 CARAMEL SWIRL (10-1) is a price horse and is likely a fringe contender in this race. She makes sense based on speed figures. This entrant has displayed solidity in recent races and should be prepared for a strong performance.

Selections: 7 – 6 – 5 – 8

Saratoga Race Course- 11

Post: 5:31 PM ET; $750k Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer S. going 1 1/2 m on turf; Entries: 7

• #1 SOLDIER RISING (5-1) is the top pick. He holds solid early pace figures in a race that lacks significant front-running speed. This contender will likely have a lot to do in the lane but could contend with a competitive run.
• #6 CHANNEL MAKER (7-2) is a fringe contender in this race. He has been solid in recent starts and should be prepared for a strong performance. This entrant seems to fit well enough in this field.
• #5 PIONEERING SPIRIT (8-1) isn’t without hope. He has demonstrated ability to handle these conditions in previous starts. This runner comes into the race in good form.
• #7 STONE AGE (6-5) holds performances sufficient to surpass this group. This contender seems to fit well enough in this field.

Selections: 1 – 6 – 5 – 7

Saratoga Race Course- 12

Post: 6:11 PM ET; $1250k Travers S. going 1 1/4 m on dirt; Entries: 7

• #1 FORTE (7-5) looks best here. He holds the highest overall power rating within the group. This entrant has been solid in recent races and should be prepared for a strong performance.
• #3 TAPIT TRICE (12-1) is a price horse and has a shot in this race. He holds solid early pace figures in a race that lacks significant front-running speed.
• #5 NATIONAL TREASURE (8-1) is a fringe contender in this race. He has demonstrated ability to handle these conditions in previous starts. This contender comes into the race in top form.
• #4 MAGE (4-1) is a fringe contender in this race. He makes sense based on speed figures. This contender will likely have a lot to do in the lane but could contend with a competitive run.

Selections: 1 – 3 – 5 – 4

Saratoga Race Course- 13

Post: 6:48 PM ET; $136.5k Maiden Special Weight going 1 m on turf; Entries: 16

• #1A GROWTH CAPITAL (7-5) earns the top selection. He will likely be in the front flight of runners and should be in with a chance late. This contender appears to be the class of the field.
• #2 FLY RIGHT (3-1) isn’t without hope. He has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip. This contender holds races sufficient to surpass this group.
• #14 COALVILLE (9-5) is likely best for lower positions on most tickets. He shouldn’t face issues with the distance. This entrant has solid breeding for this race.
• #1 RIGHT TO WIN (7-5) is likely best for lower positions on most tickets. He is a good bet to hit the board in this type of race.