SARATOGA: Travers Day

[Kasept]

Travers Weekend started with a very solid day of plays with several chalky exactas turning over the 'hamiltons' and a pair of nice trifectas bringing in the 'benjamins'. The 4th race triple brought back a hefty $327.50 ($1) and the nightcap tri $89.25 to hopefully send you into Saturday's 12 event docket healthy.

The talk of the day was Discreet Cat's incredible return performance where the Godolphin UAE Derby winner was jaw-droppingly impressive. If he's able to stay healthy, Discreet Cat should add a very exciting element to the fall lead-up to Breeders' Cup...

A lot to cover with today's dozen races.. It's 3:30am here in the Saratoga area, and it looks like there will be no raining on the big parade...


SELECTIONS -- Saratoga, Travers Day, Saturday, August 26, 2006


Superfectas in 6th, 10th, 11th & 12th..


1st: CLM, 3+, 6f

1. #6 Sing Me Back Home 9-2: Veteran gelding improves post; Just missed last
2. #5 Must Win Soon 5-2: Lake 5yo exits Claiming Crown stake
A. #7 Congressional Run 5-1: Luzzi knows Cherokee Run bay well
B. #4 Sir Gallant 8-1: Inviting tab on my man Sciacca red that left from #12 last


2nd: MSW, F&M-3+, 8.5f-IT

1. #1e Mott entry 5-1: Both runners from grass whiz were wide last time
2. #7 Elle Belle 2-1: Jerkens' grey keeps Castellano; Has been close
A. #2 Lenape Legend 7-2: Weaver gal may appreciate extra half furlong
B. #5 Gone Overboard 6-1: Nicks' Gone West red gets first Lasix, Edgar

NOTE: Also Eligibles #10, #11 and #14 all capable if they draw in..


3rd: ALW/N2X, 3+, 7f

1. #5 Songofthesailor 5-2: KMc bay comes back quick after big N2L win
2. #4 Coin Silver 4-1: Pletcher deadly with returnees like this; Worked well
A. #2e Frankel entry : Have to respect Bobby on big days
B. #7 Storm Thief 20-1: Interesting invader gets Bejarano


4th: OC/N3X, 3+, 8.5f-IT

1. #9 Night Chapter 3-1: Frankel owns 5yo going third off break
2. #8 Rousing Victory 12-1: Serpe Victory Gallop bay poised for shot at price
A. #7 L'Oiseau d'Argent 4-1: Parisella pacesetter could get away on front end
B. #6 Defer 6-1: '04 Laurelwinner from Phipps-Shug out of super once career


5th: MSW, 2yo, 6f

1. #1 Most Distinguished 8-1: Zito insanely hot with babies; From Live Oak
2. #8 Trading Star 10-1: Hennessy bay from Klarman drilled quick for bow
A. #9 Parade the Flag 6-1: Mott Distorted Humor red blasted gate bullet
B. #3 Meritocracy 7-2: Pletcher tough second start


6th: NYB-ALW/N1X, 3+, 9f-T (Superfecta)

1. #5 Secret Agent 6-1: C. Martin grey has tried trip; Gets hustling Coa
2. #2 Conrad's Crossing 10-1: Gelding continues to improve; Missed from #10
A. #1 (poe) Oedipus O'Neal 3-1: Contessa bay 2/1-1-0 this oval; 2/0-2-0 trip
B. #9 Yankee Thunder 7-2: Frankel tabs Prado for stretchout

LONGSHOT ALERT/SUPER ADD-IN: #10 Exalted Cat (20-1) from Carroll and pals at Pont St. has never missed superfecta in 5 career tries this trip..


7th: OC/N1X, 3+, 7f

1. #9 On Board Again 3-1: Saw bay's amazing debut win at GP; Winner if set
2. #6 Simon Pure 4-1: Lukas-Lewis candidate has been facing stakes runners
A. #3 Brilliant Son 9-2: Simon bay broke maiden under Bejarano; Could wire
B. #7 Political Force 7-2: Chief's grey third off shelf; Finds Johnny V in irons


RACES 8-9-10-11 -- Guaranteed $1,000,000 Pick Four


8th: 18th Ballston Spa (Gr. II), $200,000, F&M-3+, 8.5f-IT

1. #7 My Typhoon 4-1: Mott-Live Oak aced G3 Julep, G2 Revere; 1L back G1
2. #2 Sweet Talker 5-2: Hard to deny Motion-Adam in this spot
A. #1 Asi Siempre 3-1: De La Rose winner needs hot pace
B. #3 Karen's Caper 6-1: Nice tab on Frankel runner that endured wide trip last

LONGSHOT ALERT: #5 Stella Blue (10-1) -- Fred Seitz ships in with nefarious front end theft in mind.. Adds Johnny V. and price will be higher than ML..


9th: 48th Bernard Baruch (Gr. II), $200,000, 3+, 9f-T

1. #1a (poe) Ashkal Way 3-1: Godolphin red hung wide last time; Adds Gomez
2. #7 Badge of Silver 5-2: Oft-injured star fastest if 100%; Gets Prado off break
A. #5 Quest Star 6-1: 7yo from Howard always improves 2nd off layoff
B. #8 Leadwithyourchin 15-1: Taking swing at exotic booster from Hushion, Jara

NOTE: #3 Fishy Advice was rumored to be a likely scratch here.. Include if he runs..


10th: 22nd King's Bishop (Gr. I), $250,000, 3yo, 7f (Superfecta)

1. #2 Henny Hughes 9-5: KMc speedster scintillated at Shore; Zipped huge
2. #6 Songster 5-2: Ignore Amsterdam flop when moved early; Will fire best shot
A. #10 Mach Ride 10-1: Standridge adds Castellano to stalker's package
B. #4 Court Folly 8-1: Wilkes enjoying great Spa visit; Pace sets up kick

LONGSHOT ALERT/SUPER ADD-IN: #1 Quietly Go (20-1) goes turf to dirt for Baffert who didn't ship here on a lark.. Under the radar and too quirky a pressence to ignore..


11th: 137th Travers (Gr. I), $1,000,000, 3yo, 10f (Superfecta)

1. #5 Bernardini 1-1: Albertrani's lone meet winner imposing but not invincible
2. #2 Minister's Bid 8-1: Ward dangerous here with quality stalker, Edgar
A. #7 Bluegrass Cat 2-1: Pletcher Haskell winner can sit stalking trip, pounce
B. #4 High Cotton 6-1: "Other" Pletcher by AP Indy mare could go long way

LONGSHOT ALERT/SUPER ADD-IN: #1 Hesanoldsalt (15-1) -- Price will be right on Zito-Live Oak runner who has improved markedly since spring and could boost gimmick bottoms..


12th: NYB-ALW/N1X, 3+, 6f (Superfecta)

1. #6 Mr. Bourbon Street 3-1: Charlton Baker.. 'nuff said
2. #7 I'm a Yankee 7-2: Tagg has had best Toga meet ever
A. #9 Ziplocked 10-1: Price appeals on Lake player who graduated here last
B. #3 Speed of Sound 15-1: S. Klesaris great 2nd off break; Has Ramon D.
C. #10 Tough to Follow 9-2: Logical from Dutrow-Prado


Pick Four Play:

8th: 2-3-7
9th: 1-5-7
10th: 1-2-6-10
11th: 2

3x3x4x1 = $36


Good luck.. Enjoy Travers Day..
Steve

NOTE: No selections Sunday..