Saratoga Stack - Travers Day 2025

The Midsummer Derby has a big favorite in Sovereignty. Picks for the Travers and 13 other races on a tremendous Saratoga card

A beautiful Friday in Saratoga.

Well, the weather was beautiful, but the betting wasn't. Had to borrow $10 to buy this nice DraftKings Travers program.

But we have 14 more chances to make some money today.

Don’t be afraid to take some swings today.

Ideas on the Travers and the rest of the card below.

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Race 13 - The 2025 Travers

We went through this compact field in the Friday Four-Pack.

As a racing fan, I want this to be a good race. I want Magnitude to show up and give Sovereignty all he can handle.

Magnitude is fast, draws inside, and comes into this race fresh. I could see a scenario where he goes right to the front and tries to wire this group - he seems talented enough to do it.

The problem I have is that just to his right, you have Bracket Buster, who is also fast early. I can’t imagine they’re going to concede the lead to Magnitude. So either they go fast early and set it up for Sovereignty, or you’re betting at 2-1 or so that Magnitude can rate, where we have seen his best races have come running alone on the front end. I can’t see him getting that trip today. A 2-1 price tag isn’t enough for me to play him.

So you have these two battling on the front end, while Junior Alvarado and Sovereignty can bide their time. Already 2 for 2 at the distance, it looked like he was just getting going in the final furlong of the Jim Dandy. Reportedly working well, and Mott has had this spot pointed out for months. His only loss in 2025 was when he was not fully cranked in that Florida Derby and ran into Tappan Street; he’ll be 100% ready today.

I expect he’ll take control at the top of the stretch and win the 2025 Travers. I’ve come around on Strategic Focus for second, able to sit off the early pace and finish the race strongly with his newly equipped blinkers. If I play exactas, he’d be my choice with the favorite.

It feels like there are two camps: Camp Magnitude and Camp Sovereignty Coronation Party. I’m in the latter.

4-3-1 in the Travers.

Edit - initially wrote 5-3-1 because I’m a moron

As for the rest of the deep, deep Travers Day card

Race 1
Plenty of turf breeding on #4 Quiet Power. Watch the board to see if any of the other firsters are taking money. #6 Bottas has some buzz we probably should not ignore.

4-3-6

Race 2
Mike Maker gets to cut back #8 Vesting, and I’ll use prominently. Phil Antonnaci has had a great meet, and #3 Then is a player here, too.

8-3-1A

Race 3
Again, watch the board to see who takes the money. #3 Touch of Magic is a half to Guarana and appears to be working well.

3-5-4

Race 4
#1 Speightful Storm ran into a hot pace last time and can be involved here today with a better setup. Great numbers for trainer Paul Barrow when he adds blinkers.

1-7-10

Race 5***
#10 Silsbee had the trip from hell last time in the Galway and makes a lot of sense here. Marvelous Madison might be better sprinting and in an interesting price to use.

10-4-8

Race 6
Some track buzz on #1 My World, and I don’t think that 8-1 will hold. I’ll try #8 Stimulate as at FTS for Bill Mott. Again, watch where the money goes.

8-1-4

Race 7
#1 Play with Fire is no great price, but was wide last time on a day where inside speed was good.

1-3-4

Race 8
Draw a line through the last race on dirt, and #10 Summer Whirl looks very playable here. I’m using the #13 Roagna, had a bit of a trip.

10-13-2

Race 9 - The Personal Ensign
The scratch of Bernietakescharge will make things easier for #1 Randomized on the front end. Likes Saratoga, has the rail, and can win this race. Thorpedo Anna is a star, but will be overbet and is not as good as she was last year at this time.

1-6-7

Race 10 - The Allen Jerkens
Use as many as you can. A very difficult race to take a huge stand in. All of the three Baffert horses look good. Patch Adams is fast and drew well. Smoken Wicked looks like the real deal. In the end, I’ve always believed Chancer McPatrick would love this trip and win this race. Gets to cut back here and should have plenty of pace to run at.

4-2-1

Race 11 - The Ballerina
Most of my Pick 5 will go through #9 Hope Road. She can sit just off or go to the front and has always shown talent. Halina's Forte and My Mane Squeeze will find their way onto some backup tickets.

9-8-4

Race 12 - The Forego
Book’Em Danno is the horse to beat, I get it. But why can’t Most Wanted - cutting back and after chasing Fierceness two-back - win this at a price for Brad Cox? Should sit a nice trip off the speed and appears to be training well.

1-4-7

Race 13 - The Travers (see above)

Race 14 - The Get Out Race
Trainer Mike Maker deadly first off the claim and #4 Fire Agate can help us cash some tickets to close out the day. Note the #13 gets in is a player.

4-13-9-1

Just have to be right a few times to have a big day.

Good luck if you’re playing. And safe trips for all.

And Happy Travers! 🏇🏻🏇🏻🏇🏻