Expert Pick of the Week: 2023 Travers Stakes

Aug 24, 2023 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

An exceptional field of seven of the leading sophomores in training will travel 1 1/4 miles on the Saratoga dirt in the ever-important $1.25 million Travers S. (G1).

The 164th edition of the contest attracted each of the three 2023 Triple Crown race winners in what looks to be one of the more fascinating races of the year.

I have been on the Disarm bandwagon since the spring and expect him to run the best race of his life with the addition of blinkers on Saturday. The Steve Asmussen trainee fell just 2 1/4 lengths shy at the wire in the 1 1/8-mile Jim Dandy (G2) last time out, and the move to 1 1/4 miles will benefit the son of Gun Runner on this occasion. He is the Expert Pick of the Week.

Disarm graduated in style in his second career outing as a juvenile at Saratoga when drawing to a decisive maiden score in his 2022 finale. This year, the Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred placed in both the Louisiana Derby (G2) and Lexington (G3), which preceded a fourth-place result in the Kentucky Derby (G1). He earned his best win to date when bagging the Matt Winn (G3) at Ellis Park two starts back.

The chestnut colt is not especially fleet out of the gate but has earned strong early Brisnet Pace ratings in two straight races, and the addition of blinkers can surely help his ability to stay in touch with his foes in this one. Regular rider Joel Rosario will guide the budding star.

Arcangelo was a stellar Belmont (G1) victor with Javier Castellano in the saddle. Trained by Jena Antonucci, the Arrogate sophomore has improved in each of his career assignments to date, and the gray comes in fresh off the strength of some solid morning workouts. Purchased for a bargain $35,000 as a yearling, Arcangelo owns a versatile running style and will likely be saving ground throughout the 1 1/4-mile tilt.

Champion Forte was a brave runner-up in the Belmont prior to gamely getting up in the Jim Dandy, the local prep for the Midsummer Derby. Conditioned by Todd Pletcher, Forte will benefit from drawing inside of his foes to help him save ground every step of the way. His regular rider, Irad Ortiz Jr., will be in the silks once again.

An exacta with #6 Disarm on top of #2 Arcangelo and #1 Forte in the Travers is the Best Bet of the Week.