Well here we are, the mid summer derby, a few weeks earlier than normal. I haven’t missed a Travers stakes in person in 16 years, it is a shame to not be at this one. We do have a great day of racing on tap, 5 races from Saratoga, and capping it off with the Yellow Ribbon Handicap from Del Mar. Let’s have at it.

Race 1: Ballerina Stakes (G1)

• Bellafina – Working out well, hot jockey, has 2 wins and always hit the board at distance, seems in better shape this year then Serengeti Empress
• Serengeti Empress – bullet workout, shortening distance, I feel like they are at a loss with this horse, maybe this is the answer?
• Come Dancing – won the Ballerina last year, lots of stakes experience, 2 wins at distance, 2 wins at Saratoga
• Just Missed – Letruska – coming off a win, 1 win at distance, won last race, working out well, shorter distance.

Race 2: Troy Stakes (G3)

• Imprimis – hasn’t raced in 2020 yet, but that shouldn’t stop you from betting him, has the speed, good workouts, 7 wins in 11 starts at distance
• Chewing Gum – working out well, showing good form in 2020, hot jockey, not a lot of stakes experience though
• Shekky Shebaz – a couple wins at Saratoga, high percentage jockey and trainer, the tools are there, can he put it together?

Race 3: Waya Stakes (G3)

• Mrs. Sippy – I had her picked in the NY Stakes, but she scratched, making 2020 debut today with Joel Rosario, should do well
• My Sister Nat – second in that NY Stakes, gets Jose Ortiz, Chad Brown trained
• Olympic Games – two seconds this year, high percentage jockey and trainer, you have got to figure they know what they are doing
• Just Missed – Fools Gold – winner of last years Waya, knows the track, 5th in only start though

Race 4: Test Stakes (G1)

• Gamine – KILLED the field last start, should win again if she can do anything close to last performance, working well
• Venetian Harbor – only challenger most likely, never finished worse than second, working out well, hot jockey, dropping in distance
• Mrs. Danvers – hit the board in all 4 starts, moving up in class, hot jockey and trainer, working out well, dropping in distance

Race 5: Travers Stakes (G1)

• Tiz the Law – no reason to think he wont win, working well, winner of last 3, and 5 of 6, graveyard of champions?
• Uncle Chuck – working bullets, undefeated in 2 starts, the next Dr. Post perhaps? Uncle Mo did like Saratoga track
• Country Grammer – wimmer of Peter Pan at Saratoga, hot jockey and trainer, winner of last race, working out well

Race 6: Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2)

• Beau Recall – hot jockey, second last race, winner of 3 at distance
• Keeper Ofthe Stars – 2 for 2 at distance, 2 wins this year
• Bodhicitta – hot jockey, second last race, two wins and a second this year, but 2 wins were not stakes

There you have it. So disappointed not to be at the spa this year. Hoping next year will be different. Sigh.

Try and beat me in the Pick 6 Challenge.

http://games.scaredycatfilms.com/pick6/index.php