Travers Day is Upon Us! It's Time to Get Excited!
- Laura Pugh
- Aug 26, 2016
- 3 min read
Photo Credit: Averie Levanti
Is it time to get excited? Yes it is!
Why is it time to get excited? Because, Saturday is Travers Stakes Day!
NYRA’s blockbuster day of racing features six grade one stakes in a row, starting with the Personal Ensign.
The Personal Ensign Stakes drew a short field of five, but while it may be short on quantity, it certainly isn’t short on quality. Comprised of three grade one winners and two grade two winners, both of which are grade one placed.
All three grade one winners, Curalina, I’m a Chatterbox, and Cavorting are all coming off of impressive wins. Curalina recently romped in the muck in her last start, the Shuvee Stakes (GIII), while both Cavorting and I’m a Chatterbox ran away with their races, the Ogden Phipps Stakes (GI) and the Delaware Handicap (GI), respectively.
After that thrilling meeting comes the Ballerina Stakes, which will feature three-year-old filly, sprinting sensation, Carina Mia taking on her elders. Chief among those elders will be Wavell Avenue, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint heroine, and the ever so consistent Sheer Drama.
Carina Mia was last seen finishing second to Songbird in the Coaching Club American Oaks (GI). That one has since returned to dominate the Alabama Stakes (GI) as well.
The Kings Bishop Stakes comes next, featuring a 13 horse field and a bevy of talented three-year-old sprinters. The biggest surprise to the field was the addition of multiple grade two winner, Mohaymen, who was original pointed to the Travers.
In the Kings Bishop Mohaymen will face a star studded cast that includes Woody Stevens (GII) winner Tom’s Ready, winner of the Dwyer Stakes (GII) Fish Trappe Road, and Amsterdam Stakes (GII) victor Mind Your Biscuits.
Next in line comes the Forego Stakes (GI), but what most people will be waiting for comes after that in the Sword Dancer Stakes (GI). It will be in that race that the European import, turf sensation, Flintshire bids to keep his undefeated streak in America going. He has not found an equal in this country as of yet, and it doesn’t seem that he will find one in the Sword Dancer.
To end the grade one action comes the Travers Stakes (GI) itself. Featuring a strong Baffert duo in Arrogate and American Freedom, Laoban who stole away with the local prep in the Jim Dandy (GII), Belmont Stakes (GI) Creator, and Exaggerator who has taken the Preakness Stakes (GI) and Haskell Invitational (GI).
It is a star studded field, like the Travers Stakes always is, but is also a race that many hope will provide clarity. Will Creator bounce back off a weak performance in the Jim Dandy? Will Laoban prove to be more than just a one race fluke? Will Exaggerator finally get that big win over a fast track?
All will be answered in the Travers Stakes, and hopefully with those answers clarity will be brought to the very muddled division.
To cap off a day of great racing will be the Ballston Spa Stakes, featuring the comeback of Lady Eli, who was stricken by laminitis in 2015, ending a very promising season for the undefeated filly. Her return is nothing short of a miracle, and there will not be a single person who isn’t pulling for her as she enters the starting gate.
So, tell me…. Are you excited yet? You should be.
Comments