Would the Travers get more entries if Run On Sept 1

[pointman]

Fair points Hoss, however, I think Pletcher is a pretty realistic trainer on where he places his horses. Much like Flower Alley, I believe that he realized after the Derby that the horse needed some more maturity and that is why AGS and his others did not run in the Preakness. I see AGS progressing a lot like Flower Alley did and the ones he put in the PA Derby were a more realistic spot for them. However, I do believe that AGS went to Monmouth to take advantage of getting a Grade I race over a track where the BC will be held later this year. Frankly, I am not sure SS could have beat AGS on Haskell day the way AGS ran. As far as Rags, I think it was the prospect of running against the clear top 3 year olds at the time, HS, Curlin and SS, particularly when her racing style is similar to that of both Curlin and SS. I think she probably would have gone is SS ran and Curlin did not, I don't get a sense that SS was the particular horse he was ducking. I could be wrong, but I seriously doubt that AGS and Curlin were ducking SS.

Also, don't forget that Curlin ran in the Belmont and SS did not. SS had the break before the Jim Dandy, Curlin was laid off until the Haskell. The Dandy, if I am correct, was probably not enough of a layoff for Curlin whereas the Haskell fell at about the right time.