Even though much attention understandably is set on the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park (Nov. 3-4), don’t forget the the race of the summer will be on Saturday.
New York sports betting turns its attention to the 154th running of the $1.25 million Travers at historic Saratoga Race Course. The race highlights a card with five Grade 1 races.
The race will have a field of seven, featuring each of this year's Triple Crown race winners: Mage (Kentucky Derby), National Treasure (Preakness) and Arcangelo (Belmont Stakes). This is the first time in six years (2017) that all three race winners are in the same field.
However, none of the above is favored. Forte was installed as the 7-5 morning-line favorite. The two-year-old champion was the favorite in the Kentucky Derby before withdrawing on race day, finished second in the Belmont Stakes and came back with a nose finish in a hotly contested race in the Jim Dandy at Saratoga last month.
The 1 1/4-mile Travers is carded as race 12 of the 13-race card, with an approximate post time at 6:11 p.m. (FOX). First post is at 11:40 a.m.
Saturday’s other four Grade 1 races are the $600,000 Forego, the 500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial, the $500,000 Ballerina (winner receives a berth to the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint), and the $750,000 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Invitational (winner receives a berth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf).
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Travers Stakes Field
Here is the Travers Stakes field, with post position, jockey, trainer, and morning line odds:
Earlier this year, we previewed Saratoga’s 40-day meet, which ends Labor Day.
Lou’s Travers Picks: 1-2-5
