Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Midsummer Classic

                                                      Travers Stakes

Summer is slowly starting to wind down, but before it bids farewell, Saratoga brings us the famed Midsummer Classic this weekend. Ten horses enter the gate this coming Saturday and one will either emerge as the leader of the three-year-old class or make this unpredictable class even that more unpredictable.

Coil, Ruler On Ice, Shackelford and Stay Thirsty have the stage set for one of them to come out on top heading into the fall. This might be the last prime opportunity for one of them to put some distance between them and the rest of the class, because the next time you see these horses take to the track, it will most likely be against older, more experienced horses. It definitely sets up be an exciting race and lets hope one of these colts finally steps up and takes the lead in this deadlock division.

Exotics:

Coil 3-1:
Late bloomer showing he can run with the best after running down Shackelford in the Haskell. Bred for the distance, so 1 1/4 mile shouldn't be a problem. 

Ruler On Ice 6-1:
Proved he can handle the distance with a win in the Belmont. Got beat in the Haskell, but might prefer the longer distance.

Stay Thirsty 5-2:
After lackluster performances in the Florida and Kentucky Derby, has come back to impress in the Belmont and Jim Dandy. Tough horse to peg other than he loves to run in NY. If he continues the trend, will be tough horse in this race.

Shackelford 9-2:
This horse keeps hanging around and will just not go away. Heart of a champion that gives it his all every race. This distance is stretching his limits, but definitely not writing him off.

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