Travers Day Selections

Travers Day Selections
Saratoga Race Course
August 23, 2025
Bob Hill. TSV staff writer —-

If you are a handicapper who likes variety this Travers Day card is made just for you. The 14-race card is made up of seven contests for fillies or mares and seven more for their male counterparts. Six races will be run on turf and eight on dirt. Sprint and route races are split evenly at seven and seven. There are five maiden races and five Grade 1 contests. There is one Grade 2, and the balance of the card consists of allowance races. Some races feature odds-on favorites, and others are wide open affairs. So let’s get to it.

Race 7 — Lake Placid – G2 for 3yo fillies at one mile on the turf

(1) Play With Fire (2-1): Second start for Chad Brown for improving daughter of Oscar Performance.
(2) Eponine (7-2): Based in France, she makes first U.S. start with Irad Ortiz in the irons.
(6) Reining Flowers (4-1): Third beaten a neck last out in G3 Lake George on this course.
(3) May Day Ready (5-2): Classiest filly in this field was 2nd in BC Juv Fl Turf last fall.

Race 9 – Personal Ensign – G1 for F-M 4yo and up at 1-1/8 miles on main track

(7) Thorpedo Anna (6-5): Top of distaff class perfect 5 for 5 at this distance.
(6) Leslie’s Rose (9-2): Won local prep for this race a month ago.
(3) Raging Sea (5-1): Throw out last race. Runner-up in BC Distaff last fall.
(1) Randomized (4-1): Winner on Haskell Day is the likely pacesetter here.
(4) Dorth Vader (6-1) Surprised here in Ogden Phipps on Belmont weekend.

Race 10 – H. Allen Jerkens – G1 for 3yos at seven furlongs on main track

(5) Verifire (4-1): Undefeated Brad Cox trainee should get perfect setup for Prat.
(1) Patch Adams (3-1): Would love repeat of win in G1 Woody Stephens here last month.
(8) Madaket Road (6-1) Tough Baffert charge always a part of the pace scenario.
(2) Midland Money (2): Baffert newcomer looks to be the speed of the speed – dangerous.

Race 11 – Ballerina – G1 – for F-M 3yos and up at seven furlongs on main track

(5) Claret Beret (6-1): Gets Irad aboard for a trainer who wins races like this on big days..
(9) Hope Road (3-1): Speedy but versatile Baffert runner looks for first G1 win.
(7) Scylla (5-2): Seven panels is not her best distance.
(8) My Mane Squeeze (5-1) Versatile filly hits the board with regularity for Mike Maker

Race 12 – The Forego – G1 – for 4yos and up at seven furlongs on main track

(4) Book’em Danno (8-5): His last win was eye-popping. Another like that possible.
(7) Mullikin (7-2): Won this race last year, and is in great form now. Value at 7-2.
(1) Most Wanted (5-1): Turns back from route to sprint. Will be closing at the end.
(2) Bishops Bay (6-1): Another turning back in distance while in top form.

Race 32 – The Travers – G1 – for 3yos at 1-1/4 miles on main track

(4) Sovereignty (2-5) No explanation required.
(1) Magnitude (2-1): Loose on the lead? Maybe!
(3) Strategic Focus (6-1): Chance for black type on the resume. .

The Other Races

Race 1: 2 -6 -1- 4
Race 2: 1,1a – 7 – 3 -8
Race 3: 3 – 1,1a – 8 – 5
Race 4: 6 – 10 -7 – 1,1a
Race 5: 6 – 4 – 7 -1
Race 6: 6 – 5 – 1 – 9
Race 8: 2 – 6 – 12 – 10 – 8
Race 14: 3 – 10 -1 – 9