WILL RACHAEL SHOW UP HERE AT THE TRAVERS ALONG WITH THE BIRDS AND CHARITABLE MAN?
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The 140th running of the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse on Aug. 29 might very well be the definitive dirt race of 2009. It also could be the Race of the Year -- better than the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which will once again be run on a synthetic track at Santa Anita on Nov. 7.
For the first time since 1982, there is a chance that all three winners of the Triple Crown races could converge at Saratoga in the venerable Travers Stakes. The last time even two winners of Triple Crown races met in the Travers was 1996 when Preakness winner Louis Quatorze and Belmont Stakes winner Editor’s Note clashed, only to be beaten by Will’s Way. In the 1993 Travers, Kentucky Derby winner Sea Hero triumphed and Belmont Stakes winner Colonial Affair finished off the board. [Note: Since 1982, there were two occasions where two horses accounted for the three Triple Crown victories and met in the Travers – 1987 (Alysheba and Bet Twice) and 1991 (Strike the Gold and Hansel).]
Already, it appears the “Birds” will fly to Saratoga in late August. Derby winner Mine That Bird is likely to race in the Travers, and the connections of Belmont Stakes victor Summer Bird have committed to the 10-furlong race known as the “Midsummer Derby”. Having both “Birds” in the Travers would make for a memorable edition.
Now, for the $1 million question: What if Preakness winner and superstar filly Rachel Alexandra enters the Travers fray to test her talent against colts once again? Then, we very well could have a Race For The Ages. You’d have the winners of each Triple Crown race – as was the case in 1982 when Derby winner Gate Del Sol, Preakness winner Aloma’s Ruler, and Belmont Stakes winner Conquistador Cielo competed in the Travers – represented in a stunning showcase for thoroughbred racing.
After winning the Preakness, connections of Rachel Alexandra passed on the Belmont, waiting for the Mother Goose Stakes at nine furlongs at Belmont on June 27. If she wins the Mother Goose, discussion would commence regarding her competing in the Travers two months later. With the Breeders’ Cup not until the first week in November, Rachel Alexandra could run in the Travers and – if she lost – could return five weeks later to face older fillies in the Beldame Stakes on Oct. 3 at Belmont Park.
Then, it would be up to owner Jess Jackson and Steve Asmussen to decide her Breeders’ Cup plans. Although Jackson has said he doesn’t want to race his star filly on a synthetic track.
Mine That Bird. Rachel Alexandra. Summer Bird. What a Travers it would be? It has been 30 years (1979-Davona Dale) since a filly ran in the Travers and no filly has won it since Lady Rotha in 1915.
What’s more, here are some other notable horses who could add further spice to an already unforgettable Travers lineup: Quality Road, winner of the Florida Derby, but has resumed training after missing the Triple Crown series due to injury; I Want Revenge, winner of the Wood Memorial and would-be Derby favorite, scratched the morning of the race; Musket Man, third in the Derby and Preakness, slated to race in the Haskell on Aug. 2; Charitable Man, winner of the Peter Pan and fourth in the Belmont; Pioneerof the Tile, second in the Derby; and Papa Clem, fourth in the Derby.
And that doesn’t include late-developing 3-year-olds who didn’t participate in the Triple Crown races. Here’s to hoping the Travers Stakes attracts Mine That Bird, Rachel Alexandra, and Summer Bird, that would ensure its place as the dirt race of 2009.
REMEMBER, THIS IS THE TRACK THAT CHARITABLEMAN BROKE HIS MAIDEN WINNING BY 11 LENGTHS
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS RACE?
Subject: Re: JOEYP'S DAILY PICKS Today at 10:16 am Reply with quote Edit/Delete this post Delete this post
The 140th running of the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Racecourse on Aug. 29 might very well be the definitive dirt race of 2009. It also could be the Race of the Year -- better than the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which will once again be run on a synthetic track at Santa Anita on Nov. 7.
For the first time since 1982, there is a chance that all three winners of the Triple Crown races could converge at Saratoga in the venerable Travers Stakes. The last time even two winners of Triple Crown races met in the Travers was 1996 when Preakness winner Louis Quatorze and Belmont Stakes winner Editor’s Note clashed, only to be beaten by Will’s Way. In the 1993 Travers, Kentucky Derby winner Sea Hero triumphed and Belmont Stakes winner Colonial Affair finished off the board. [Note: Since 1982, there were two occasions where two horses accounted for the three Triple Crown victories and met in the Travers – 1987 (Alysheba and Bet Twice) and 1991 (Strike the Gold and Hansel).]
Already, it appears the “Birds” will fly to Saratoga in late August. Derby winner Mine That Bird is likely to race in the Travers, and the connections of Belmont Stakes victor Summer Bird have committed to the 10-furlong race known as the “Midsummer Derby”. Having both “Birds” in the Travers would make for a memorable edition.
Now, for the $1 million question: What if Preakness winner and superstar filly Rachel Alexandra enters the Travers fray to test her talent against colts once again? Then, we very well could have a Race For The Ages. You’d have the winners of each Triple Crown race – as was the case in 1982 when Derby winner Gate Del Sol, Preakness winner Aloma’s Ruler, and Belmont Stakes winner Conquistador Cielo competed in the Travers – represented in a stunning showcase for thoroughbred racing.
After winning the Preakness, connections of Rachel Alexandra passed on the Belmont, waiting for the Mother Goose Stakes at nine furlongs at Belmont on June 27. If she wins the Mother Goose, discussion would commence regarding her competing in the Travers two months later. With the Breeders’ Cup not until the first week in November, Rachel Alexandra could run in the Travers and – if she lost – could return five weeks later to face older fillies in the Beldame Stakes on Oct. 3 at Belmont Park.
Then, it would be up to owner Jess Jackson and Steve Asmussen to decide her Breeders’ Cup plans. Although Jackson has said he doesn’t want to race his star filly on a synthetic track.
Mine That Bird. Rachel Alexandra. Summer Bird. What a Travers it would be? It has been 30 years (1979-Davona Dale) since a filly ran in the Travers and no filly has won it since Lady Rotha in 1915.
What’s more, here are some other notable horses who could add further spice to an already unforgettable Travers lineup: Quality Road, winner of the Florida Derby, but has resumed training after missing the Triple Crown series due to injury; I Want Revenge, winner of the Wood Memorial and would-be Derby favorite, scratched the morning of the race; Musket Man, third in the Derby and Preakness, slated to race in the Haskell on Aug. 2; Charitable Man, winner of the Peter Pan and fourth in the Belmont; Pioneerof the Tile, second in the Derby; and Papa Clem, fourth in the Derby.
And that doesn’t include late-developing 3-year-olds who didn’t participate in the Triple Crown races. Here’s to hoping the Travers Stakes attracts Mine That Bird, Rachel Alexandra, and Summer Bird, that would ensure its place as the dirt race of 2009.
REMEMBER, THIS IS THE TRACK THAT CHARITABLEMAN BROKE HIS MAIDEN WINNING BY 11 LENGTHS
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS RACE?