Saratoga Travers Showdown: Epicenter, Early Voting, Rich Strike Sqaure Off

Published: Thu Aug 25, 2022, 10:38 pm ET

Read Time: 6 minutes

Saratoga Travers Showdown: Epicenter, Early Voting, Rich Strike Sqaure Off cover

horses

The big names of the three year old season square off in the midsummer derby. The Travers Stakes from Saratoga takes place on Saturday.

Travers Preview

The Travers Stakes will be run over the main track at Saratoga. The track has been kind to horses sitting on or near the lead throughout the meet.

Epicenter (left) and Early Voting (3rd from left)

The early pace projects to be set by Early Voting with Epicenter stalking in just behind. Zandon and Cyberknife tend to run early pace numbers that will have them just a few lengths behind those as the horses hit the 4 furlong mark.

In the midpack group it is likely that Artorious, Golden Glider, and Ain't Life Grand. Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike projects to be well off the pace.

Travers Predictions

The quality of the runners in the in the first two flights make it extremely likely that they make up the exacta or even the trifecta of the race. Given previous races and projected pace fractions, the only runner from the back that projects to be in with a shot is Artorious.

Saratoga- Race 1

Post: 11:35 AM ET; $105k Maiden Special Weight going 6 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

#4 DIDINGER (6-1) should improve off the first start and gets the top selection.
#3 VERIFYING (5-2) has to be respected going out for the combination of Cox and Rosario.
#7 STANDARD OF PROOF (7-2) makes sense on debut here.
#2 TRACK MATE (8-1) could take a step forward off the debut effort and gets Saez up.

Selections: 4 – 3 – 7 – 2

Saratoga- Race 2

Post: 12:08 PM ET; $105k Maiden Special Weight going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 11

#7 AMERICA'S GUEST (4-1) should improve off the first start and has races good enough to beat this group.
#4 ALEXIS ZORBA (7-2) should be part of the early pace in this spot.
#1 FIRE BARON (8-1) was productive on debut and could take a step forward off that effort.
#5 TRIPLE START (5-1) debuts here at a reasonable price.

Selections: 7 – 4 – 1 – 5

Saratoga- Race 3

Post: 12:44 PM ET; $95k Allowance going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

#2 BOLD JOURNEY (9-2) has solid early pace figures in a race that looks to lack a ton of front running speed.
#9 GREAT WORKOUT (6-1) has to be respected going out for the combination of Rice and Ortiz.
#1 ON THE HILL (3-1) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
#3 COLORMEPAZZI (8-1) makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 2 – 9 – 1 – 3

Saratoga- Race 4

Post: 1:17 PM ET; $400k Ballston Spa S. going 1 1/16 miles on turf; Entries: 5

#5 TECHNICAL ANALYSIS (1-1) could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
#2 LEMISTA (3-1) seems to fit well enough here.
#3 OUR FLASH DRIVE (4-1) looks to be the class of the field.
#1 HIGH OPINION (8-1) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.

Selections: 5 – 2 – 3 – 1

Saratoga- Race 5

Post: 1:55 PM ET; $600k Forego S. going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 7

#3 JACKIE'S WARRIOR (1-2) stands head and shoulders above this group.
#5 CODY'S WISH (7-2) is solid enough but a cut below the top.
#1 BABY YODA (8-1) makes sense on speed figures.
#6 PIPELINE (8-1) has to be respected going out for the combination of Brown and Ortiz.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 1 – 6

Saratoga- Race 6

Post: 2:32 PM ET; $70k Starter Allowance going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 10

#5 BALTASAR (4-1) has the top overall power rating in the group.
#2 LIFE CHANGER (7-2) comes into the race in really good form.
#10 MISBEHAVED (6-1) goes out for the Pletcher barn and gets Gaffalione in the irons.
#4 JET SPEED (8-1) runs evenly and looks to get a very fair pace scenario here.

Selections: 5 – 2 – 10- 4

Saratoga- Race 7

Post: 3:12 PM ET; $120k Allowance Optional Claiming going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 12

#2 MAXWELL ESQUIRE (5-1) goes out for the Maker barn and gets Saez in the irons.
#5 RANGER FOX (7-2) seems to fit well enough here.
#3 DISCREET TUNE (4-1) will likely be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late.
#9 HIGHER STANDARD (3-1) has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip.

Selections: 2 – 5 – 3 – 9

Saratoga- Race 8

Post: 3:52 PM ET; $500k H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S. going 7 furlongs on dirt; Entries: 9

#8 GUNITE (6-1) has looked back on track of late and could pull the upset.
#6 JACK CHRISTOPHER (6-5) appears to be a major player in this race. He has races good enough to beat this group.
#1 CONAGHER (7-2) appears to be a major player in this race. He seems to fit well enough here.
#9 ACCRETIVE (9-2) comes into the race in really good form.

Selections: 8 – 6 – 1 – 9

Saratoga- Race 9

Post: 4:32 PM ET; $600k Personal Ensign S. going 1 1/8 miles on dirt; Entries: 5

#3 CLAIRIERE (6-5) looks best here. She has been really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here.
#5 MALATHAAT (5-2) should be sitting in the second tier of runners and looking to make one well timed run at the leaders.
#2 SEARCH RESULTS (7-2) could get the right setup in this race.
#1 LETRUSKA (3-1) will look to return to old form.

Selections: 3 – 5 – 2 – 1

Saratoga- Race 10

Post: 5:05 PM ET; $750k Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer S. going 1 1/2 miles on turf; Entries: 10

#6 GUFO (9-2) looks to be the class of the field.
#5 ROCKEMPEROR (8-1) projects to sit mid pack and come with one run.
#9 CHANNEL MAKER (8-1) makes sense on speed figures.
#8 SOLDIER RISING (15-1) is a price horse and will be rolling late and has a good closing kick that could get the job done here.

Selections: 6 – 5 – 9 – 8

Saratoga- Race 11

Post: 5:44 PM ET; $1250k Runhappy Travers S. going 1 1/4 miles on dirt; Entries: 8

Epicenter favored in the Saratoga Travers — Epicenter

#8 ZANDON (5-1) is a generous price here. He was the wise guy horse for the Derby and could be better here.
#6 EPICENTER (7-5) is probably the likeliest winner, but he is getting the reputation as an always a bridesmaid horse in these grade ones.
#7 EARLY VOTING (8-1) could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
#1 CYBERKNIFE (7-2) is getting better at the right time and could be a major upsetter here.

Selections: 8 – 6 – 7 – 1

Saratoga- Race 12

Post: 6:20 PM ET; $88k Maiden Special Weight going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf; Entries: 9

#7 HEYMACKIT'SJACK (3-1) could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
#2 FEATHERS ROAD (7-2) has the pedigree to be a major player in this spot.
#5 RIPE FOR MISCHIEF (8-1) comes into the race in really good form.
#6 FUOCO (12-1) could be a dangerous threat to get loose on the front end. This one seems to fit well enough here.

Selections: 7 – 2 – 5 – 6

Saratoga- Race 13

Post: 6:52 PM ET; $115k Allowance going 1 mile on turf; Entries: 12

#1 PARNAC (3-1) could get the right setup in this race.
#9 MISS TAPIRADO (5-1) has races good enough to beat this group.
#2 INVINCIBLE GAL (5-2) shouldn't have trouble with the 1 mile distance.
#4 WICKED GROOVE (8-1) has the top overall power rating in the group.

Selections: 1 – 9 – 2 – 4

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Chris Adams

Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.

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