2011 Travers Stakes betting preview

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The Midsummer Derby is one of the most coveted races in all of thoroughbred racing. Trainer Chad Brown was quoted yesterday saying he wants to win this race more than any other, including the Kentucky Derby. He will have a chance with the rail horse, Bowman’s Causeway. Todd Pletcher and Mike Repole will have the unlikely favorite in Stay Thirsty. Who would have guessed at the end of last year that of his two stars this would be the colt, and not Uncle Mo, in the big race? Certainly not I.

The Travers Stakes is for three-year-old colts and geldings going 10 furlongs on the main track at Saratoga. Last year’s winner Afleet Express was retired due to injury soon after and the winner before him, Summer Bird, won the Eclipse Award for Champion Three-Year-Old Male Horse.

Check out our Horse Betting page for information on how and where to bet the Travers Stakes online.

#1 Bowman’s Causeway (Giant’s Causeway x Victory Encounter by Victory Speech) Martin Schwartz owned colt has done much better since moving to the barn of Chad Brown. Last out he was beat a dirty nose by Pender Harbour in the Prince of Wales and before that he was a good fourth in the Queen’s Plate. He is going to have to improve to win, but don’t think he cant do it at a big price. Ramon Dominguez gets up for the first time.

#2 Rattlesnake Bridge (Tapit x Prall Street by Cherokee Run) Got up in the last jump to win the Long Branch last out after a poor beginning. Before that he was second in a strong allowance race against older horses. Gutsy colt seems to be putting it all together and this might be his day.

#3 Moonshine Mullin (Malibu Moon x Mullen Road by Distant View) Shocked us all when he finished second in the Jim Dandy last out at nearly 40-1 under Emma Wilson in his first try over a dirt surface. Before that he won the Victoria Park at Woodbine. Trainer Reade Baker likes how the horse has been doing and believes he will move up after his strong effort last out. Should handle the distance.

#4 Ruler On Ice (Roman Ruler x Champagne Glow by Saratoga Six) Belmont Stakes winner is quite versatile and is working well after his third place effort in the Haskell. He should be fine at the distance given his last two races. Kelly Breen trains and Jose Valdivia will ride.

#5 Malibu Glow (Malibu Moon x Golden Locket by Storm Creek) Taking a stab at the Travers after being soundly defeated in the Dwyer two back. He followed that effort up with a strong win going 9 furlongs. That wasn’t much of a group though. These horse can improve over night so he’s got a shot.

#6 Raison d’Etat (A.P. Indy x Sightseek by Distant View) Regally bred colt seems to only now be figuring things out. He broke his maiden two back by a massive 7 ¾ lengths in a very quick time. Next out in the Curlin he didn’t quite have his punch, but the lightly race Bill Mott trainee could jump right back up in this spot. Distance will be no problem and he is plenty good enough. Is he ready now though?

#7 Coil (Point Given x Eversmile by Theatrical) Won from off the pace as our top selection in the Haskell last out. Trainer Bob Baffert joked on Twitter that his latest work, a bullet four furlongs in :46 B, set off an earth quake. His sire Point Given won this race as did Point Given’s sire, Thunder Gulch. Is it something in the blood? Bob Baffert and Martin Garcia will hope so.

#8 J W Blue (Sky Mesa x Kentucky Storm by Dynaformer)  Very deep closer always seems too far back. Last out in the Barbaro he rallied from 13 off the pace and just missed. He appears a tad bit out classed here for trainer Tony Dutrow and jockey Cornelio Velasquez. The jockey upgrade should do him some good.

#9 Stay Thirsty (Bernardini x Marozia by Storm Bird) Man, has he turned it around! I never saw his last out win coming where he romped by 4 in the Jim Dandy. Before that he was beaten ¾ of a length by Ruler On Ice in the Haskell. If he runs back to that last race he will be quite formidable. Trainer Todd Pletcher says he is doing very well. JJ Castellano keeps the mount.

#10 Shackleford (Forestry x Oatsee by Unbridled) Speedy Preakness winner has finally won me over. I thought his win in the second jewel of the Triple Crown was a bit fluky, but he verified it last out with a strong effort to be second beaten only neck in the Haskell. It is likely that Jesus Castanon and trainer Dale Ramons will send from this outside post and play “catch me if you can”. They might not be able to run him down if he goes too slow up front.

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