A great day of racing is in store for Saratoga. Saturday is the 152nd running of the Travers Stakes, the feature race of the meet. There are a whole bunch of stakes races on the card, and lots of great horses will be running. Let’s get a look at the six races I’ve chosen for the Pick 6 Challenge.

Race 1: Ballerina Handicap (G1)

• Gamine – Looks like the one to beat, with only 1 loss, at DQ at the Kentucky Oaks. Gets a good spot on the rail, winner of last 4 races, 3/3 at distance, highest speed figures, working bullets.
• Ce Ce – Winner of 2/3 at distance and winner last race, high speed figs, working bullets too.
• Sonsin – Coming off a second place finish, high percentage jockey, hit the board last 3 races, winner of 1 at distance, speed is close to what is needed to win, has come up short against Gamine before, working bullets reason for optimism? I think I might take the risk on Lake Avenue at longer odds over Sonsin.

Race 2: Forego Stakes (G1)

• Mischevious Alex – Raced poorly in the Vanderbilt, but hoping a return to 100 beyers is in order. Gets a hot jockey, rail post, has won 3/5 at distance. Hoping for a return to form and a good price.
• Yaupon – Impossible to ignore, but wondering if he is up to the distance? Will go to the front and need to hold on when all hell is going to break lose behind him. Santana has had some wins lately, hot trainer of course, has never gone distance, 2/2 at Saratoga, working bullets. I think either he wins or finishes off the board.
• Whitmore – I thought he had used all his strength battling CZ Rocket, but it looks like there is still some left in the tank. Like getting Rosario on board, has hit the board in last 5 starts, a closer getting an extra furlong.
• Just Missed – Mind Control – Wouldn’t surprise me if Pletcher has this horse ready, winner last race, moving up in class though, lots of experience at distance.

Race 3: Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1)

• Life Is Good – Didn’t make the triple crown, making a triumphant return now with Mike Smith. Has the speed, undefeated, working bullets, dropping distance, Mike Smith and Todd Pletcher.
• Jackie’s Warrior – It’s a shame only one can win, dead heat maybe? Might be worth picking both. High speed figs, winner last race, 3/3 at Saratoga, 2 1-1-0 at distance, working bullets, high percentage jockey and trainer.
• Following Sea – This spot was reserved for Drain the Clock, but Jackie’s Warrior killed him by 7 in the Amsterdam. Taking a shot on Follwing Sea returning to a shorter distance, Pletcher / Velazquez combo, working out well.

Race 4: Personal Ensign Stakes (G1)

• Letruska – Her race to lose, winner of last 3 and 15/20 lifetime, winner at Saratoga, winner at distance, working bullets, chalky indeed.
• Royal Flag – Hope for 10-1 on this horse who has never finished off the board, has won at Saratoga, at distance, high percentage jockey/trainer, working out well. It will be a tall order to close on Letruska though.
• Swiss Skydiver – Has beaten most of this field, has good speed, working out well, treating Whitney as an inopportune prep.
• Watch out for Harvey’s Lil Goil working bullets and gets the meet’s leading jockey Saez on her, and As Time Goes By, with Mike Smith, working bullets. This will be a great race.

Race 5: Sword Dancer Stakes (G1)

• Tribhuvan – Has produced, winning 3 of last 4, high percentage jockey / trainer, has shown he can win this year.
• Gufo – For a time I though he would go on a run of wins, but instead dropped back to second and thirds. Has won at distance, high percentage jockey / trainer, working well, return to greatness?
• Cross Border – High percentage jockey / trainer, winner last race, winner of 6/7 on Saratoga turf! Ignore at your own risk.
• Just Missed – this is a tough race, because you could make a case for Channel Maker, Rockemperor, and Japan in this one. Can’t bet them all.

Race 6: Travers Stakes (G1)

• Essential Quality – Hard to beat this favorite, fast speed, won 7/8, winner at Saratoga, high percentage jockey/trainer, working bullets. Setting up for the win.
• Dynamic One – Winner of the Curlin, concerning that was only start since bad Derby, high percentage jockey / trainer.
• Miles D – Second in the Curlin, increasing speed figs, high percentage jockey / trainer, raced Saratoga before.
• It comes down to I don’t see Midnight Bourbon or Masqueparade being able to go to the lead and hold on in the stretch facing Essential Quality. Keepmeinmind has had 4 chances to beat Essential Quality and hasn’t. So that leaves the 4 and the 5 to close on an upset. Graveyard of Champions.

Really sad that I am not at Saratoga this weekend, it is a fun atmosphere and great racing. Think your picks are better than mine? Then try and beat me at the Pick 6 Challenge.

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