Travers Stakes Field

Veteran horse handicapper Ed Sehon weighs in on the Travers Stakes field and some initial impressions of who could be a big factor on Saturday at Saratoga.

  1. MAGNITUDE
    Record: 8-4-1-0
    Trainer: Steve Asmussen 
    Jockey: Ben Curtis
    Best Beyer: 108
    Earnings: $596,165 
    Mr. Ed: Late-blooming colt gets better with every start. Front-running style puts colt in mix early. Asmussen sticks with young rider Curtis.. Won last two by distancing all others. Welcome to the big leagues.
  2. BRACKET BUSTER (20-1)
    Record: 8-2-2-1
    Trainer: Victoria Oliver
    Jockey: Luis Saez
    Best Beyer: 90
    Earnings: $286,318
    Mr. Ed: On paper, his speed figs don’t add up to Grade 1 victory. But with Place paying $250K and Show $150K, he’s eyeing biggest payday ever. Veteran rider Saez joins Oliver’s team. Hanger on.
  3. STRATEGIC FOCUS (6-1)
    Record: 3-1-1-1
    Trainer: Chad Brown
    Jockey: Flavien Prat
    Best Beyer: 102
    Earnings: $82,200
    Mr. Ed: Chad Brown’s never met a big race he didn’t like. Lightly raced, expensive son of Gun Runner adds blinkers, retains Prat. Strictly a Show horse.
  4. SOVEREIGNTY (2-5)
    Record: 8-5-2-0
    Trainer: Bill Mott
    Jockey: Junior Alvarado
    Best Beyer: 109
    Earnings: $5,147,800
    Mr. Ed: Kentucky Derby, Belmont and Jim Dandy winner is the horse to beat. Mott and Alvarado have handled the quick colt brilliantly. Tactical speed allows him to dictate pace and defeat all challengers. Breeders’ Cup prep.
  5. McAFEE (20-1)
    Record: 7-1-3-1
    Trainer: Rick Dutrow
    Jockey: Johnny Velazquez 
    Best Beyer: 94
    Earnings: $280,880
    Mr. Ed: Outsider needed Google Maps to find Saratoga Springs. Trainer and jockey know one another well. Improving colt might Show up late.

 

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