Travers Day lived up to hype
SARATOGASPRINGS, N.Y. » Even with all the usual pre- event chatter, Travers Day had no trouble living up to the hype. The combination of glorious late-summer weather and terrific racing made it one of those days that account for the sport’s enduring, if not very widespread, appeal.
The races had something for everybody. Top billing goes to Lady Eli, who once again found a way to win (in the Ballston Spa) when doing so did not seem possible. Forever Unbridled finally escaped from the shadow of Songbird by running down the two-time champ late in the Personal Ensign. And Bob Baffert once again came away with a pair of Grade 1 victories, courtesy of one established star (Drefong in the Forego) and a late developing three-year- old who may be just getting started ( West Coast in the Travers).
For sheer racing excitement, though, there was Sadler’s Joy’s ferocious final furlong in the Sword Dancer in which the four yearold colt passed six horses while completing the last quarter in around 22 seconds.
While Travers Day helped to solidify the championship picture in at least a couple divisions (female turf horse and male sprinter), it failed utterly in its most important task: to give shape to a three-year- old division that had all but fallen apart. Not only did the Travers fail to do this, but by enabling additional horses to become contenders, it actually made things worse.
The biggest losers were the three Triple Crown race winners, none of whom hit the board. Tapwrit’s fourth wasn’t too bad – maybe he needed a race – but with Cloud Computing (eighth) and Always Dreaming (ninth) disappointing once again, it’s hard to know where the two go from here. Todd Pletcher said Sunday that Always Dreaming would be sent to Kentucky for rest and evaluation.
The new kid on the block, of course, is West Coast, who delivered on the promise shown in his earlier races by going gate to wire in the Travers. The son of Flatter benefited from being able to set moderate fractions, but with so little early speed among this year’s most prominent sophomores, he may be able to do it again next time. Bob Baffert indicated he may run West Coast between now and the Breeders’ Cup, but don’t be surprised if the horse is
trained up to the Classic.
Gunnevera (second in the Travers) and Irap (third) saw their stock rise with their solid efforts. Gunnevera’s showing was not expected – he was 24-1 – but Irap has shown steady improvement since his troubled Derby, and may have still more of an upside. Being bothered late by Gunnevera probably cost him a couple of lengths, and maybe the runner-up spot.
And what are we to make of Good Samaritan, the former turfer who found himself in the somewhat startling position of Travers favorite (7/2)? TheHarlan’s Holiday colt uncorked a frantic rally similar to the one that won him the Jim Dandy, but still ended up being beaten by nine lengths. But he can’t be counted out yet.
Given the wide- open state of the three-year- old division, races like the Pennsylvania Derby (Sept. 23) – the last BC Classic prep restricted to sophomores – Awesome Again Stakes (Sep. 30) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (Oct. 7) may find themselves more popular than usual.