Travers’ field might be stronger than Derby’s
It is Saratoga’s turn to offer a great array of graded stakes Saturday, headed by the $1 million Travers for 3-year-olds. Rachel Alexandra won’t be in it, but an argument can be made that the seven-horse Travers’ field is stronger than the Kentucky Derby’s.
Six starters are coming into the race off a triple-digit Beyer. In the 19-horse Kentucky Derby, only four starters ran a triple-digit Beyer going in.
Quality Road is the 8-5 favorite off a comeback sprint win in the Amsterdam. He is a faster horse than any foe Rachel Alexandra will face in next week’s Woodward for older horses. Owner Jess Jackson, by choice or by accident, found an easier spot in the Woodward for his champion filly.
Kensei is a now horse off an improving win in the Jim Dandy. He bested Warrior’s Reward and Charitable Man, who are in the Travers’ field.
The Travers could be a jockey’s race as well. Only Hold Me Back appears outclassed. Even long shot Our Edge can get loose on the lead and cause trouble. My pick is Summer Bird, who was second to Rachel Alexandra in the Haskell.
The Travers’ undercard includes the King’s Bishop, Ballerina, Ballston Spa and Victory Ride.
A terrific duel figures to see Munnings versus Big Drama in the King’s Bishop. Munnings could not last in the two-turn Haskell, but has the tools to be the best sprinter in the country.
The Ballston Spa will kick off an attractive all-stakes pick 4 bet. A horse who will be a single for me is Rutherienne, second pick in the Ballston Spa.
• TALE OF TWO TRAINERS — When asked by newcomers who I consider more important, jockey or trainer, I always answer trainer. My reasoning is a trainer is hands-on around his horses "24/7" and the jockey rides a horse in the afternoon only. If a trainer gets a horse in peak form, ready to win, many jockeys can get the job done.
Thus, I was surprised to see two respected East Coast trainers — Tom Albertrani and Bruce Levine — having such divergent meets between Monmouth Park and Saratoga.
At Monmouth through Thursday, Albertrani had won 13 of 39 starts and Levine 37 of 107 starts.
At Saratoga, both trainers are winless, Albertrani from 21 starts and Levine from 38. Mind-boggling. We know Saratoga is a tough place to win, but those stats are startling.
Richard Eng’s horse racing column is published Friday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com.