The Travers Stakes is the oldest major thoroughbred horse race in America. And when the 140th edition is run Saturday, Aug. 29 at grand old Saratoga, the field of 3-year-olds could make this a most memorable mile-and-a-quarter.
I'm even thinking the Midsummer Derby may top the Kentucky Derby for suspense: Mine That Bird vs. Rachel Alexandra vs. Summer Bird _ the Derby winner vs. the Preakness winner vs. the Belmont winner, plus a cast of 3-year-olds looking to avenge losses in the Triple Crown races as well as previously injured horses on the mend (like Quality Road).
A look-see:
_ Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird is set to run in the West Virginia Derby at Charles Town on Aug. 1, then show up at Saratoga and train up to the Travers. Hey? a Derby winner ever run in the West Virginia Derby?
_ Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra's schedule has yet to be determined, but as of now the Travers is not out of the question. Let's say the filly runs next in the Mother Goose later this month, and again about a month later. Could the Travers be next? Stay tuned.
_ Belmont winner Summer Bird is headed to the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on Aug. 2, followed by a trip to upstate New York for the Travers.
_ Florida Derby winner Quality Road, the likely Kentucky Derby favorite before an injury knocked him out, is back in training. If he bounces back from a quarter crack, Jimmy Jerkens could have him ready for the Travers.
_ While Belmont runner-up Dunkirk has been sidelined with an injury, Peter Pan winner Charitable Man, who was fourth in the Belmont, is headed to the Jim Dandy at Saratoga on Aug. 1 and then the Travers.
_ Santa Anita Derby winner Pioneerof the Nile is the best of the west, and finished second in the Derby. He is trained by Bob Baffert. Baffert will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during the Saratoga meet, and he just might have Pioneerof the Nile for the Travers.
_ Musket Man, third in the Derby and third in the Preakness, passed on the Belmont, will be back for the Haskell, and the Travers is an option.
_ Wood Memorial winner I Want Revenge, injured the morning of the Derby, is likely out of the picture, but just about every other 3-year-old is still in.
Let's see what happens.
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