The Travers Stakes (Gr. I)

The mid-summer derby

The Travers drew a field of five. With Journalism taking a deserved break after ducking no one and showing up at each big race to meet each challenge, Sovereignty is 2/5 on the ML. That may be generous, as he is the darling of the triple crown series and just won the Jim Dandy looking like a paid workout at 1/2.

There’s not so much to say about the fiver going to post. Magnitude and Strategic Focus are the only colts that look able to give Sovereignty any challenge. Even so, let us not forget how much Sovereignty had left in the take in that last race, and possibly even the Belmont when he romped by open lengths. PPs follow.

With the a quarter-million-dollar prep race in Altoona, might be coming into form for a lifetime best, which could, possibly, just maybe be enough to keep Sovereignty honest. Whether she wants to go this far is still unknown. Without any other speed in here of this caliber, she could steal on the front end. Live, and most likely winner if Sovereignty doesn’t fire.

Fourth in the Haskell on the Jersey Shore last out behind some good 3yos. Has not produced speed figs that indicates hoss can be competitive with these. Pass

2 wins from just three lifetime starts. Stalks from three or four lengths off the pace, which was Sovereignty’s tactic in the Jim Dandy. These two could end up in a dog fight in late stretch. Uncertain why the blinkers, though was trouble in latest and getting colt to flash speed could be a benefit. Outside chance with improvement on best.

Sovereignty. What else might one say. The nuts.

Picks up checks in graded stakes, though hasn’t won since breaking maiden at first asking. Tough to imagine a scenario where hoss is the best horse today. Looking elsewhere.

Chart and notes once official

If it was a fight, they’d have called it off. A man among boys. Sovereignty wins geared down by double digits. This was a fabulous race for those that love horse racing, yet not much of a betting race. Still drew $3.2 million in the WPS pools. Handle on the afternoon topped $54 mil. Not quite Kentucky Derby stratosphere, yet an impressive figure. Rumors of the death of parimutuel wagering on thoroughbred horse racing are greatly exaggerated, yeah? Here’s the chart.