Dead Heat

                                                                         Dead Heat

With the three-year-old class diminishing after just about every race, this years Travers Stakes did not have the usual hype surrounding it. But once again, the horses that loaded the gates put on quite a show and what a show it was as we witnessed the first ever dead-heat in the 143rd running of the historical "Midsummer Derby."

Alpha, the post time favorite at 2-1 stalked the leaders the entire race and heading into the far turn it looked like he was going to pass on the outside and cruise to victory. But when they were heading for home it was Golden Ticket who shot through along the rail and was the one to catch. I guess you can say Alpha caught him just barely as they both had to share the winners circle. You couldn't have asked for or scripted a better finish than what was provided to us this past Saturday.

Out on the West Coast Dullahan stepped up to the older competition in the Pacific Classic(G1) at Del Mar and showed he is a force to be reckoned with on the poly track. By upsetting the rest of the older field he is now 3 for 3 in his career on the synthetic surface and in doing so punched his ticket to the Breeders' Cup Classic (If that is where his connections point him). While he did not capture one of the Triple Crown races, if he were able to carry over his success on the Poly to the Dirt and take down the Classic, he certainly would be tough to deny an Eclipse Award.

Now this three-year-old class has Alpha, Dullahan and Paynter sitting atop the division but unfortunately each one has a cloud hanging over them. Can Alpha, who now has a grade one win on his resume despite running against less superior competition, be able to hold his own against the older competition? What about Dullahan, who is 0 for 6 when it comes to running on dirt. Will he even run in the Classic? Paynter was supposed to challenge Alpha in the Travers, but he is currently sidelined for who knows how long. November will be here before you know it, so I guess many of these questions will be answered sooner than later.

With Labor Day right around the corner, the races for the two-year-olds will be heating up over the next couple of weeks. Starting on Monday, September 3rd is the 7f Hopeful Stakes(G2) at Saratoga. Wednesday, September 5th is the 7f Del Mar Futurity(G1) at Del Mar. Saturday, September 8th is the 1 mile Arlington-Washington Futurity(G3) at Arlington Park. Keep an eye on these races over the next couple of weeks as you never know if the 2013 Derby winner may come from one of these.

*Had Alpha pegged to win the Travers as we thought he was in a class above the others. While he did win, Golden Ticket surprised many by having a share of the winners circle in another historic Travers Stakes.

Travers Stakes/Midsummer Classic/Midsummer Derby

                                                                  Midsummer Classic

Summer at Saratoga is highlighted this weekend by the third oldest thoroughbred race in racing history. Dating all the way back to 1864, the Travers Stakes or "Midsummer Classic" as it is known, is a historic race for the three-year-olds going 1 1/4 mile. For many, this will be their last test before they step up to face the older competition. The only question this year is, are there any three-year-olds left to run?

I'll Have Another, Bodemeister, Union Rags, Paynter and Hansen all at one point in their short careers were considered at the top of this class. Now, all have either been retired or are currently injured. At the start of 2012, this class looked locked and loaded across the board with talent. Unfortunately, that talent has vanished as this year's Travers Stakes is reduced to Alpha, the 12th place finisher in the Derby, being the highlight of the field this coming Saturday. 

Life is unpredictable and you never know what it has in store. Yes, this year's race is lacking the luster it normally has but you never know when one of these young three-year-olds will take off. Remember, many of these guys are still maturing and have not yet finished growing. For all we know, this race might be featuring a future Breeders' Cup Classic winner. They don't call this race the "Midsummer Derby" for nothing which is why you should still be interested in the 143rd running of this historic race. 

On another note, Dullahan has decided to head out West and try his luck against the older competition. He will be running in the Pacific Classic (A "Win and You're In" race for the BC Classic) at Del Mar this Sunday, where he returns to the synthetic surface for the first time since upsetting Hansen at Keeneland in the Blue Grass Stakes. This horse is 2 for 2 on the poly and hopes to continue that trend after two disappointing finishes in a row on the dirt in the Belmont and Haskell. 

Travers Stakes(G1)
8/25 Saratoga 5:46 EST

Race #12

Alpha 5-2

Coming off a Grade 2 win in the Jim Dandy here at Saratoga last month. 2 for 2 at the Spa is impressive regardless of the competition. Could and should be in a class above the rest of these three-year-olds running this Saturday. 

Street Life 5-1

Son of the 2007 winner, Street Sense certainly doesn't hurt his chances here. Win at this track last month in the Curlin Stakes. Closer who will be coming on at the end should like the 1 1/4 mile distance especially if there is some pace to run at. 

Nonios 4-1

Coming off a second place finish to Paynter last month in the Haskell. Has hit the board in all six of his lifetime starts. Never run further than a 1 1/8 mile, so we will see if he can handle the extra furlong.

Liaison 8-1

Closer who could flirt with hitting the board going 1 1/4 mile. Has experience running against the best of this three-year-old class. 

Ex/Tri BX: 6,5,10,9

3-Yr.-Old Picture Coming Into Focus

Paynter                                                                                                      Alpha

After the running of the Curlin Stakes, Jim Dandy(G2) and Haskell(G1) this weekend, the three-year-old picture is starting to clear up. With this division lacking a true front runner, these races provided an opportunity for someone to step up to the challenge.

Alpha, returning to the track for the first time since the Derby, took the Jim Dandy impressively, going wire to wire in the slop and winning by 2 lengths. With no other big name three-year-olds in this one it was Alpha's race to lose as the others in this field were just not in the same class.

It was Paynter who showed his second place finish at the Belmont was no fluke as he pulled away from the field in the Haskell to win by 3 3/4 lengths. Gemologist and Dullahan both were in position to challenge, but looked like they hit a brick wall and were no where to be found at the end, finishing 5th and 6th.

Street Life, the son of Street Sense also keeps his name in the mix after taking the Curlin Stakes Friday at Saratoga. He will be running up against more superior competition though, next time out.

Now the focus shifts to the Travers at the end of August to determine who is the best of this class before they graduate on to facing the older competition. Look for the Paynter and Alpha duel to play out in the media leading up to the race as these two will be the favorites heading into the "Midsummer Classic".

*Pegged Street Life in the Curlin and Alpha in the Jim Dandy. Didn't fare so well in the Haskell as Paynter got the win, while Gemologist and Dullahan didn't show up. 

Welcome Back 3-Yr.-Olds

                                                                           Haskell

After a seven week layoff we welcome the three-year-old's return to to the track. With injuries and illnesses to the top contenders of this talented group, the three-year-old division is once again wide open. What better way to determine the best of this class than the three stakes races this weekend on the cards at Saratoga and Monmouth.

The first of these three stakes races is the $100,000, 1 1/8 mile, Curlin Stakes at Saratoga tonight. Usually, this race wouldn't carry much significance towards determining the top three-year-olds, but with no current clear cut favorite, this class is looking for someone to step up. The m/l favorite at 5/2 is Street Life, who last finished fourth in the Belmont Stakes. The winner of this race will certainly keep his name in the mix.

Saturday brings the $600,000, 1 1/8 mile, Jim Dandy Stakes(G2) at Saratoga. The m/l favorite at 5/2 is Alpha, who will be making his first start since finishing 12th in the Kentucky Derby. Look for him to  perform more like he did in the Wood Memorial, where he was beaten only by a neck. There are two other Kentucky Derby runners in this race as well. Prospective is coming off a first place finish in the Ohio Derby(G3), while Liaison is coming off a third place finish in the Swaps(G3). In this field of eight, you also have the third place finisher in the Belmont, Atigun, the winner of the Dwyer(G2), Teeth of the dog and the winner of the Matt Winn(G3), Neck n' Neck.

To close out the weekend, Monmouth Park is host to the $1,000,000, 1 1/8 mile, Haskell Invitational Stakes. With a rather small field of six, on paper this is really a three horse race. Paynter the m/l favorite at 3/2 is coming off a close second place finish in the Belmont, to the now retired Union Rags. Dullahan returns and looks to redeem himself after that disappointing seventh place finish in the Belmont. The horse who many are anticipating to return is Gemologist as we get to see him back in action for the first time since injuring himself in the Kentucky Derby. Handsome Mike, Nonios and Steelcase round out the field.

All three of these races are preps for the Travers Stakes at Saratoga at the end of August, but the winner of the Haskell will be heading into the Midsummer Classic as the favorite. Hopefully we will have a clearer picture of this three-year-old division after this nice weekend of racing. Enjoy and good luck!

Curlin Stakes
7/27 Saratoga 6:22 EST
Race #8
Ex/Tri Bx: 3,5,2


Jim Dandy Stakes(G2)
7/28 Saratoga 5:45 EST
Race #10
Alpha 5/2
Has a grade three win on his resume, finished second by a neck in the Wood. Wasn't a factor in the Derby but looks to get back on track here. Not any big name three-year-olds in this one, Alpha should add a grade two win to his resume Saturday. 


Teeth of the Dog 5/1
Coming off wins in the Easy Goer and Dwyer(G2) at Belmont last month. Has finished in the money in 6 out of 7 lifetime starts. Should find the money again in this one. 


Atigun 8/1
His third place finish in the Belmont has to make you believe. Past performances are not that impressive  but shown he has the speed and distance. 


Fast Falcon 10/1
Zito trained horse coming off two second place finishes behind Teeth of the Dog. Closer who is still untested at the distance. 


Ex/Tri Bx: 1,6,3,2


Haskell Invitational Stakes(G1)
7/29 Monmouth 6:17 EST
Race #13
Gemologist 3-1
First start since getting injured in the Derby and was undefeated heading into the race. Looks to start his comeback and show why he was one of the favorites heading into the Derby. 


Paynter 3/2
Got run down just barely in the 1 1/2 mile Belmont. He will be the one to catch in this shorter race. Definitely has the speed, but is he in the same class as Gemologist or Dullahan? Will be there at the end just not sure where in the money he will fall. 


Dullahan 3-1
The Belmont is really the only blemish on this colt's resume. Has finished in the money in 7 out of 10 lifetime starts. This should be a good distance for him and could easily be posing in the winners circle come Sunday night.


Ex/Tri Bx: 4,3,2