Known as the “Mid Summer Derby”, 18 Travers winners have been named Champion three-year-old male, most recently Summer Bird in 2009.
This year’s morning line favorite is the Kiaran McLaughlin trained Alpha, who is coming off a gate to wire victory in the Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga on July 28.
The son of Bernardini will be ridden by the meet’s leading rider Ramon Dominguez and will break from the six post.
The second choice on the morning line is Nonios, who is coming off a runner up finish to Paynter in the Haskell Invitational (G1) at Monmouth Park on July 29.
Others that figure to take betting action include Curlin winner Street Life (5-1) Jim Dandy runner up Neck ‘Neck (9-2), and the Bob Baffert trained Liaison (8-1), who was third in the Jim Dandy.
There are 13 races on the Travers Day card. Supporting the marquee race of the meeting is the $500,000 King’s Bishop (G1), $500,000 Test (G1), and the $250,000 Ballston Spa (G2).
All four stakes will be televised live on NBC as part of a two hour telecast that gets underway at 4:00 ET.
Michael Dempsey provides his selections for Saratoga each racing day. Mike’s Best Plays Report is available each weekend, with his strongest plays and selections including the top stakes races.
The Saratoga Special Price Reduced!
Get Michael’s full card each racing day at Saratoga from now through Monday, September 5, Labor Day. No racing on Tuesdays. Get his full card Reports for the remainder of the meeting at a big savings!
Purchase Michael’s Saratoga Special now, which has just been reduced to $89.95 and receive his full card report for the remainder of the meeting, a big savings over the daily price of $12 per report.
Field, jockeys and wagering odds for the $1 million Travers (G1) Post time 5:46 ET
1. Speightscity Irad Ortiz Jr., 30-1
2. Five Sixteen Rosie Napravnik, 15-1
3. Golden Ticket David Cohen, 20-1
4. Stealcase Shaun Bridgmohan, 15-1
5. Street Life Jose Lezcano, 5-1
6. Alpha Ramon Dominguez, 5-2
7. Atigun Mike Smith, 12-1
8. Neck ’n Neck Leandro Goncalves, 9-2
9. Liaison Rafael Bejarano, 8-1
10. Nonios John Velazquez, 4-1
11. Fast Falcon Junior Alvarado, 20-1
