Saturday August 26, 2000

The 131st Travers Stakes
9th @ Saratoga
All carry 126

2. Curule...Smith...Folded up the tent midway through the Belmont, then won an allowance by eight just four weeks later. Comes the Jim Dandy, and damned if he isn't putting up a regal fight for this finishing well in front of Unshaded for 2nd at 14-1. By George, I think he might have it! Pizza-oven like conditions on Belmont day could explain that effort away. Distance might be a concern here though. He runs like he did in the Dandy, and he'll be in the hunt. Every where you turn, Godolphin is there with scary-good talent.

3. Commendable...Day...Couldn't tell you anything at all about this guy that you probably already don't respect. Have no idea what to make of the Belmont as it seems the only race where his head was screwed on right. Only advantage with this crew is front-running style. May be a 4-race cycle horse. If that's the case, you can leave him out here. Like you weren't already planning to! His 9th race this year and DWL is as cold as ice right now. Don't expect this guy to light a fire.

4. Milwaukee Brew...Bailey...Not out of the question by any means. His Haskell effort was a career best, that to a rapidly coming to form Dixie Union. He has never taken a step back so far which is encouraging for this. He could be positioned perfectly for a score here. Graduated from the great white north in May in the Marine stakes, swooped in and grabbed the Ohio Derby while racing 6-wide! Another furlong (which he'll get here) in the Haskell, and he'd be riding a 5 race win streak. Let's see, who can we get to ride him? Hmm. Why not Jerry Bailey?  Stronach scores again?

5. Postponed...Prado...Could be ready for a career best here, but that probably won't be enough. While winning the Peter Pan, the time was slow as molasses. He then finishes 20 back in the Belmont, and more than 9 behind Graeme Hall in the Dandy. Even if he runs his best ever, he figures to be more than a few lengths behind.

6. Unshaded...Sellers...Plodded through the Belmont 7-wide which nearly made him collapse. What a day! Likely got what he needed in the Jim Dandy running a pretty nice race after the break. The Lexington still stands out in my mind though. I want to see him ruin a field like that again. I know it's in there somewhere. I've seen it! If he fails here, maybe a change or two might be in order? Nafzger (0 for 18 for the meet) has been pointing for this since Keeneland. Shane admitted that he really isn't suited to ride his style (come from behind).  I wonder if that will be obvious here.

7. Dixie Union...Solis...This guy's been running lights-out last 4 times. How much is in the tank? Showed a bit of promise last year in the BC Juvenile after blitzing California. Since then, he's been on a mission. Hard to fault and the bottom might not have been reached yet. Affirmed was better than it looked and could have very well been a win. No shame losing to Caller One at 7 furlongs in the race before. Solis and Mandella winning 29% from 56 starts. California runner might lack support at SPA windows. JUMP all over him if that's the case. 

8. Impeachment...Migliore...Could get to an in the money position as he is certainly eligible 2nd off the layoff. Don't think he has quite what it takes to tackle the BIG boys here though. Would have to regain Derby and Preakness form to accomplish that. Migliore and Pletcher only 1 for 23. Certainly no given.

9. Albert The Great...Chavez...Bounced to the moon after Dwyer effort, or was it jockey error? Zito stopped just short of blaming Mig for the debacle. Is he still in orbit? Nice work on the main track last Sunday. He'll now pick up weight and face more of the same that beat him by 28 last time. Not impossible to hold on for a slice as he'll be on the front without a lot of company, but I would think that he'll be hard-pressed to win this following the last. He probably won't be pressed nearly as hard this time as there's no Graeme Hall here. But he had held up well vs. similar pressure before. It's just not easy to explain the Jim Dandy away.

           Total respect for Richard Mandella who brings in Dixie Union after stopping on him throughout the Triple Crown. It appears he made the right move as DU is prepared to take the division lead here.

           Unshaded has a canoe full of talent, but the race must set up perfectly in order for him to get a win.

          Goldolphin is always lurking, and Curule could sneak up and score here further enhancing their operation.

          Milwaukee Brew would be a nice story, but he might need a bit more to make it to the top here.

1. Dixie Union

2. Unshaded

3. Curule