The Travers Stakes (Flashback to 2016)

[Tavasco]

I think it\'s fair to say that the \"Travers\", the Midsummer\'s Derby is a special race, a special day and here we are. A few weeks earlier than usual, no live fans and advertisements by those selling their view of reality or at least their thoughts on the race.

A sport, a nation in more disarray and confusion than I remember since say 1968. My life anyway. Turn back time to 2016 Aug 27 that years\' well-subscribed edition of this classic contest.

That West Coast guy was bringing two colts to face a gang of seasoned and accomplished young racehorses.

The Desormeaux\'s had the favorite Exaggerator @ 7/2. TAP in arguably his heyday had Destin a big figure horse from earlier in the year. Gift Box may be the one to break through that afternoon. Add in Creator, Governor Malibu, and Gun Runner who was still in the beginning phases of becoming a beast.

CCB who everyone had started taking notice of when he entered one on turf was another being scrutinized. He a NY guy, assuming he would love to win this race, he has two going and he wins races!

All in all IMHO, one hell of a field. as it should be. Bob Baffert was on everybody\'s radar but he wasn\'t scaring anybody with American Anthem he was bet to 5/1 but what had he done who had he beat really? The other one how do you pronounce his name?

Now back to the present. Trainer Baffert compares his entry today to his entry and 11/1 winner (Arrogate) of 2016. Pause, really, well then the rest are running for second place if Uncle Buck, is it? runs his race aren\'t they?

[johnnym]

Not crazy about this card at all.
GL to all.

[richiebee]

Tavasco Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
 
> Now back to the present. Trainer Baffert compares
> his entry today to his entry and 11/1 winner
> (Arrogate) of 2016. Pause, really, well then the
> rest are running for second place if Uncle Buck,
> is it? runs his race aren\'t they?

Arrogate was 11/1. The Chuckwagon (my opinion) will be more or less the same
price as Tiz the Law and given the same weight in the multiples. Also my
opinion is that the Chucker is the second best 3YO Baffert has entered at
Saratoga today.

Gamine might have been able to break the track record for a mile at Belmont if
asked. Gamine racked up some big numbers in the Acorn, won by nearly 20
lengths, and did this all while not running a particularly straight course.
Without making any comparisons her Acorn performance brought to mind a DRF
trackman\'s comment after one of Ruffian\'s brilliant races, \"Speed to Spare.\"

Like JohnnyM says (I\'ll paraphrase) too many short fields in the stakes and too
many maiden races. I have not looked at the morning line, but I like two
maidens in consecutive races mid card who will not be longshots but will be
coupled by me in an uncharacteristically large double.

The Waya drew a short field but its cool that Peter Brant, who co-owned Waya in
the late 70s, has a runner in this race. Waya was an outstanding turf mare who
won the 1979 Diana at the Spa, running 9 furlongs in 1:45.2, equaling a world
record at the time and setting a stake record that stood for 36 years.

The Troy also drew a short field, but they are fairly evenly matched. My
strongest feeling here is that Pure Sensation has lost a step but will still
take money and I am standing against him and his piping hot trainer.

So while not the best Travers card, it sure beats a sharp stick in the eye and
presents a welcome diversion. I will be tethered to the wagering desk here at
Living Room Downs and if not fast asleep by 3 pm (I work overnight on Fridays)
I will bet over my head and not with it.

[Tavasco]

Maybe it\'s the pollen that\'s making my eyes water but I did not see any resemblance between Uncle Chuck and Arrogate (not Arrow Gate Geez Network announcers) do your homework Thighland.

[Fairmount1]

My guess is the last Derby favorite under even money was Arazi at .90-1 in 1992.  May we see one this year esp if a short field?  No way they have 20 in the gate is there?  Who from this Travers would actually go in the Derby besides the winner?  Who would send their horse against Tiz the Law besides Baffert that has a fringe player? Maybe if they hang their hat on the fact that Tiz lost on the CD dirt in November?  A heavy favorite that last lost on the CD dirt will be his one knock heading to Louisville.  

Is Gamine thrown in the mix with the short field despite no points?  Baffert sent Silverbulletday out against Charismatic in the Belmont.  And we know he loves the spotlight and this filly in the Derby gives him that opportunity to steal some storyline.  

A Saratoga season and a Travers Day at home is not how I drew up 2020.  I don\'t care who wins the Derby as long as we have spectators at the races again.  My Derby tickets were eliminated from the mix this year about two weeks ago but the refund still hasn\'t shown up  Even with my love of Travers Day and Saratoga, tomorrow\'s Ellis Park card is a far better wagering opportunity than today\'s Sar card.  I haven\'t bet in months, have watched racing with mild interest but things getting interesting with a September Derby weekend approaching.  

Take a LONG look at CLUB CAR tomorrow for those that do wager on Ellis.  After she wins or places tomorrow, I think you will see her in the Humana Distaff on Derby Day at 7f.      

Last, any shot Keeneland has spectators for the Breeders Cup?  And maybe Tiz the Law can show up in the Classic as a 3yo doing something no one has done since Calumet Farm\'s Whirlaway (Ben Jones, Eddie Arcaro) in 1941:  Win the Derby, Preakness, Belmont and Travers.  He is halfway there in some illogical order brought to you by the year 2020 sponsored by the most obnoxious sire in history, Runhappy....I\'m hoping these ads and the virus have soon #Runtheircourse

[johnnym]

Nice  to see some post.
My handicap sucked yesterday was on the sidelines until the stakes races started.
For the life of me race 7 what the hell kind of ride did Castellano give Come Dancing down the stretch?
Never considered the winner on the cut back.

Gamine was the only winner of the day for me a kiss your sister moment.

Travers tried the super but Uncle Chuck ran more like my Aunt then my Uncle..

Tiz the Law great name for all the defund the police clowns is the real deal and did it effortlessly yesterday and just may be even $$ Derby day 109 beyer.
I keep thinking back to the gulf when he had a inside post and Franco rushed him outside?
Yes Fairmont1 I almost didn’t play yesterday waiting for Ellis today, being a degenerate is not cheap especially when our entertainment options are minimal these days.
As far as attendance at the tracks, can we all not just say we are peaceful protestors?
Stay well.
Johnnym
PS
Can someone PM me regarding the rebates thru NYRA, specifically who keeps track of what a customer has coming in rebates and were to find that information.
Ty

[richiebee]

Richie:

Sorry to hear that you have been out of action, which I can only assume has
something to do with Missouri\'s arcane ADW restriction.

My opinion is that BB should keep Gamine short this year. In her current form
she would be rather unbeatable in the BC F/M sprint at a short price and an
interesting proposition getting some weight in the BC Sprint, maybe even the
Dirt Mile.

Indeed a good card at the \"Pea Patch\" today, but a little discouraging to see
the stake for 2YOS only drew 7.

The field includes Liberty Run, by Runhappy, that stallion\'s first winner, and
I guess only winner, considering the fact that I saw him break his maiden 8 or
9 times yesterday and the commercial has not been updated to include other
Runhappy winners.

[ajkreider]

I agree that Gamine looks best short, but she can clearly fly at a mile and the pedigree says up to 9f.  Would love to see a Max/Tiz/Gamine/Bisou Pegasus - if they are around that long.

BTW, who is the target audience for TV stallion commercials?  Deep-pocket owners don\'t seem like the type moved by such ephemera (they pay people to make these calls), and the lighter wallets need to do their homework.

[Bet Twice]

I think there is a shot for having spectators at the BC.  There is a lot of money at stake for the area, and would think there are some influential people who would like to see the fans there.  If they haven’t already sold out, would think they’d stop selling tickets to allow for some level of social distancing.  I think it will largely depend on how the Derby goes.  Fingers crossed as I’ve never made it to Keeneland before.

On a more somber note, it could be an ugly(ier) time in American politics, as the results of the election may still be in question at the time of the BC.