Pletcher to have no horses in the Travers

[Ronnie]

The Haskell was attractive this year because the Breeder's Cup is at Monmouth. NYRA doesn't have to worry about competing with Monmouth races next year.

[boswd]

Originally Posted by Ronnie

The Haskell was attractive this year because the Breeder's Cup is at Monmouth. NYRA doesn't have to worry about competing with Monmouth races next year.

I would have to slightly disagree with you on that, maybe 5 to 10 years ago that would have been true But the Haskell is no longer considered a "prep" for the Travers. It has developed into a marque race all it's own now.
It being a Grade I $1 million race that is raced in the begining of August will always make it a very attractive race for the the top 3 yr olds that raced and preformed well on the Triple Crown races. These horse have been sitting in the barn unraced for the most part since May and June and the timing of the Haskell is very attractive.

The bottom line when it gets to this time of year trainers are going to be looking for more space between races now adays and it's time for NYRA to adapt.

This is not your father's Travers anymore. It's very sad.
Especially when the The PA Derby I am willing to bet will get a field of 8 to 10 horse for a race that has no history or prestige but will offer a $million.

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by boswd

I would have to slightly disagree with you on that, maybe 5 to 10 years ago that would have been true But the Haskell is no longer considered a "prep" for the Travers. It has developed into a marque race all it's own now.
It being a Grade I $1 million race that is raced in the begining of August will always make it a very attractive race for the the top 3 yr olds that raced and preformed well on the Triple Crown races. These horse have been sitting in the barn unraced for the most part since May and June and the timing of the Haskell is very attractive.

The bottom line when it gets to this time of year trainers are going to be looking for more space between races now adays and it's time for NYRA to adapt.

This is not your father's Travers anymore. It's very sad.
Especially when the The PA Derby I am willing to bet will get a field of 8 to 10 horse for a race that has no history or prestige but will offer a $million.

Last year Pletcher sent Bluegrass Cat there to prep for the Travers so he did not have to race Bernardini in the Dandy. The rest of the field stunk.

[ELA]

I am not so sure that it was as much a prep for the Travers (and avoiding Bernardini) as it was getting the G1 win on his resume. It might have been an after the fact, but your point is valid.

At the same time, just because Pletcher had this view, with this horse, etc., doesn't mean it's constant or an absolute.

All of this is on a horse by horse, individual basis -- period. I think we'll see some trainers and horses do it, and others won't.

Eric

[boswd]

Originally Posted by Ronnie

Last year Pletcher sent Bluegrass Cat there to prep for the Travers so he did not have to race Bernardini in the Dandy. The rest of the field stunk.

But I remember after The Haskell he was on the fence for a bit saying he is going to have to rush BGC to make the Travers and wasn't comfortable with that.