$1,250,000 Grade I Travers Stakes
Saratoga | Race 11 | Dirt | 10 Furlongs
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#1 Cyberknife 7/2
Really coming into his own off a massive 69h/85 Haskell victory and consecutive dirt spreads that point to peak late speed compared to the previous foundation. Will be looking to pounce any of the speeds that don't hold strong. Field features many closers so risk of being crashed on from the rail seems less a worry today than usual and could see this one inheriting position in the first flight.
#2 Rich Strike 10/1
Derby Cinderella ranks bottom of the field in Last 4F Pace and likely needs a meltdown scenario to come on late such as seen in May.
#3 Ain't Life Grand 20/1
Habitual winner out of Iowa takes a big step up here and stretch out in distance. Last out's SOFT victory featured much improved dirt spread in terms of running on late but needs a massive 10-point jump on Final Figure to get competitive here.
#4 Gilded Age 30/1
Another one with double-digit dirt spreads hoping for a race flow to allow for passing some runners late but also lacks on Final Figure more than he's likely to improve.
#5 Artorius 9/2
Positive development off the COMP debut, REV going longer, and a SOFT win with bigger dirt spread when even longer. Trending the right direction here while incrementally working toward this distance on positive form cycle patterns. Needs a good amount of improvement just as others mentioned do but holds a better foundation to pop that improvement than them.
#6 Epicenter 7/5
Derby runner-up is eligible to get back to the 80+ Finals ran in the Derby and Preakness after a SOFT win.
#7 Early Voting 8/1
Took a regression following a big spring with consecutive 70+ 4Fs matched to 80+ Finals. Can easily take the role of pacesetter here in a pretty reserved group but distance becomes a question mark here. Didn't hold up the lead in the Wood or Jim Dandy and arguably wouldn't have held the Preakness if Epicenter had been given a better trip.
#8 Zandon 5/1
Slight regression last out off the DTOP from the Derby was disappointing as top class horses should be fully recovered 60+ days out from a DTOP pattern. One of many in here that would prefer to pour it on late.
Suggested Wagers
Use #1 Cyberknife and #6 Epicenter in horizontal wagers.
#1 Cyberknife to WIN at 7/2 or better
Exacta Box #1 / #6