157th Travers: Who can get the distance ? Race Selections

By Rick Francis —-

In the world of thoroughbred racing there maybe 10 horses across the globe capable of competiting and winning at the “classic” distance of one mile and one quarter and two of that small number are entered here in the 157th Running of the Grade 1 Travers Stakes.

Golden Tempo, a dual classic winner, and his nemesis Renegade look to renew their rivalry in America’s oldest horse race the Travers.

It’ll be a packed house at beautiful Saratoga Race Course along with millions following from their favorite viewing venues. Good Luck to all, let’s have a look at the field.

Race 13) Grade 1 DraftKings Travers Stakes 3YO 1&1/4 Mile Post Time 6:35 EDT

1) Emerging Market (Brown/Santana); following this Candy Ride colt’s prevailing La.Derby win (I didn’t play him), things have gone sideways lowlighted by his distance second facing OC’s here last month, gonna pass.

2) Leading Change (Cox/Franco); out of Gun Runner, colt enters off his short price short field Indiana Derby score; would be a monumental shocker.

3) Napoleon Solo (Summers/Velazquez); Liam’s Map colt, winner of the Preakness, was all game in the abject slop of the Haskell finishing second by a half length. Broke his maiden here and has been working lights out, exotics a must.

4) The Puma (Delgado/Castellano); one of those that keeps you waiting for that breakout race; gets the return of jock Castellano whom just rode his 6000th winner and knows a thing or seven about winning this race.

5) Renegade (Pletcher/Gaffalione); Into Mischief colt has been my pick in every race he’s run and will be today, only in theory as I don’t want to jinx the so called formula for a Tempo win. His stirring Jim Dandy score sets up what most hope will be a Kentucky Derby stretch run repeat. He’s the on;y other who can win this.

6) Ocelli (Beckman/Zayas); one day he’s gonna lose the “maiden” label. Son of Connect can hang with this bunch, I’m including in my exotic plays.

7) Sea Strike (Brown/Prat); has become the “Wise Guy” play based on his Curlin score, which was against a field of cupcakes. I’ve never known anyone win with the so called “Wisw Guy” play.

8) Baby Vino (Schultz/Lopez); Haskell winner has found his stride having won three straight. Bloodlines fit for this route and he maybe just the pace the top two need to run after.

9) Golden Tempo (DeVauz/Ortiz, J); Curlin colt’s from the rear to the front exploits in both the Derby and Belmont have made for great TV and sparked a somewhat renewed interest in America’s oldest sport. The game plan will not change here, he’s the real deal.

10) Silent Tactic (Casse/Saez); never off the board in seven career starts almost all facing Graded company so he’s got what it takes but as with most of those board finishes distance has caught him. Exotics.

Golden Tempo and Renegade has found that extra gear going this route and once again a couple in here will help them find it late; Napoleon Solo, Baby Vino and Ocelli will make the last 16th a classic.

Picks: (5-9) w/3,8,6