Travers Stakes & Pacific Classic Stakes Odds & Analysis
by Patricia Woo | Aug 23 2010
The highlights of the summer racing season at Saratoga and Del Mar will take place on Saturday, Aug. 28. First up, the
$1M Gr. 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga Racetrack will feature some of the best 3-year-olds going head-to-head. Then, at Del Mar, 3-year-olds and up will be in the spotlight for the
$1M Gr. 1 Pacific Classic. Don't miss out on some of the best horse betting and horse racing of the summer.
The $1M Gr. 1 Travers Stakes has been the mid-season goal for several top 3-year-olds. A Little Warm has been improving all year, and with a big grade 2 stakes under his belt – the Jim Dandy Stakes on July 31 – he is a top contender. The Anthony Dutrow-trained son of Stormin Fever beat several Travers Stakes rivals in the Jim Dandy Stakes and has looked excellent in his workouts at the Spa, turning in a recent 5 furlong breeze in 1:01.58.
Looking to get out of A Little Warm's shadow is Nick Zito's Miner's Reserve, a front running son of Mineshaft who has twice settled for runner-up behind A Little Warm. He will need the race of his career so far to capture the Travers Stakes. Among the other top contenders is First Dude, another talented pacesetter who has fallen just short of top spot in all his stakes races this year – including the Gr. 1 Haskell Invitational and two of three Triple Crown races. Dale Romans trains this son of Stephen Got Even, who has incredible stamina and should benefit from the 1 ¼ mile distance of the Travers Stakes. Trappe Shot, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, is another rising star in the field, while Kentucky Derby champion Super Saver – who is still trying to regain his winning form – is also in the mix.
Over at Del Mar, some of the nation's top older males will be lining up for the $1M Gr. 1 Pacific Classic. The Bob Baffert-trained Richard's Kid was the surprise winner last year when he charged from the rear of the back to win; he has not fared as well in subsequent races and has been defeated by several Pacific Classic rivals this year. But this son of Lemon Drop Kid knows how to win on Del Mar's synthetic track and should factor into the finish again in 2010. He will face a long-time Pacific Classic contender, Awesome Gem, who is looking to redeem four losses in this event in four years. Trained by Craig Dollase, the 7-year-old gelding is looking to extend his win streak to two, having won the prestigious Gr. 1 Hollywood Gold Cup in July 10 last out. And Temple City is an up-and-coming 5-year-old who surprised a classy Cougar II Handicap (G3) field on July 30 with his speed. This son of Dynaformer is trained by Carla Gaines.
Others to watch in the Pacific Classic are Dakota Phone, who has a quick turn of foot; Enriched, who is another speedster, and The Usual Q.T., who won the Gr. 1 Eddie Read Stakes on July 24.
Don't miss out on any of the
horse racing action!
Bet on the Travers Stakes and the Pacific Stakes at the Bodog Racebook!
