Study Guide: 2021 Travers Stakes
Aug 26, 2021
On Saturday at Saratoga, seven sophomore colts will square off over 1 1/4 miles in the historic $1.25 million Travers S. (G1). A quality field has assembled for the 'Midsummer Derby,' including Kentucky Derby (G1) alumni Essential Quality, Midnight Bourbon, Keepmeinmind, and Dynamic One.
| Total 10 start(s) |
Top Speed Rating: (99) when finishing second in the Preakness S. (G1) |
| Wins: 2 | Total Earnings: $673,920 |
| Place: 3 | |
| Show: 3 |
| Owner: Winchell Thoroughbreds | Sire: Tiznow |
| Breeder: Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings | Dam: Catch the Moon |
| Trainer: Steve Asmussen | Color: Bay |
| Jockey: Ricardo Santana |
First in the Lecomte S. (G3)… second in the Preakness S. (G1), Louisiana Derby (G2), and Iroquois S. (G3)… third in the Risen Star S. (G3) and Champagne S. (G1)… Midnight Bourbon has been a consistent and capable graded stakes competitor since the summer of 2020. A speedy colt who typically sets or presses the pace, Midnight Bourbon figures to receive a favorable front-running trip while breaking from the rail in the Travers. But the 1 1/4-mile distance is a question mark, considering Midnight Bourbon has lost ground down the homestretch in all but one of his starts. Midnight Bourbon also needs to bounce back from a rough run in the July 17 Haskell S. (G1) at Monmouth Park, where he clipped heels badly and lost his rider in the homestretch.
| Total 8 start(s) |
Top Speed Rating: (111) when winning the Belmont S. (G1) |
| Wins: 7 | Total Earnings: $3,545,144 |
| Place: 0 | |
| Show: 0 |
| Owner: Godolphin | Sire: Tapit |
| Breeder: Godolphin | Dam: Delightful Quality |
| Trainer: Brad Cox | Color: Gray/roan |
| Jockey: Luis Saez |
With seven wins from eight starts, Essential Quality almost always finds a way to visit the winner's circle. His only defeat came when finishing fourth with a wide trip in the Kentucky Derby; otherwise, he's been perfect. A determined victory in a fast renewal of the Belmont S. (G1) produced a massive 111 Brisnet Speed rating, which towers over the Travers field. But Essential Quality came back to earth when narrowly winning the Jim Dandy S. (G2) at Saratoga last month, posting a 100 Brisnet Speed rating. He may need to improve off the Jim Dandy to maintain his supremacy in the Travers.
| Total 10 start(s) |
Top Speed Rating: (101) when finishing third in the Ohio Derby (G3) |
| Wins: 1 | Total Earnings: $654,987 |
| Place: 3 | |
| Show: 2 |
| Owner: Cypress Creek Equine, Arnold Bennewith, and Spendthrift Farm | Sire: Laoban |
| Breeder: Southern Equine Stable | Dam: Inclination |
| Trainer: Robertino Diodoro | Color: Bay |
| Jockey: Joel Rosario |
A veteran campaigner with nine consecutive graded stakes starts under his belt, Keepmeinmind has stepped up his game significantly this summer, finishing third in the Ohio Derby (G3) and second in the Jim Dandy S. (G2) while beaten just half a length on each occasion. Conditioned by hot trainer Robertino Diodoro, Keepmeinmind has gotten close to Essential Quality on a couple of occasions and is training sharply at Saratoga, so one more step forward might place him in the hunt for an upset on Saturday.
| Total 7 start(s) |
Top Speed Rating: (102) when winning the Curlin S. |
| Wins: 2 | Total Earnings: $260,120 |
| Place: 2 | |
| Show: 0 |
| Owner: Repole Stable, Phipps Stable, and St. Elias Stable | Sire: Union Rags |
| Breeder: Phipps Stable | Dam: Beat the Drums |
| Trainer: Todd Pletcher | Color: Chestnut |
| Jockey: Irad Ortiz |
If you draw a line through Dynamic One's disappointing 18th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1), it's hard to knock anything the chestnut colt has accomplished. Runner-up by a head in the Wood Memorial (G2) during the spring, Dynamic One upped his game to a new level when returning from a three-month layoff in the July 30 Curlin S. at Saratoga. After trailing the field for six furlongs, Dynamic One produced a strong rally to sweep past his rivals and score by 1 3/4 lengths with a career-best 102 Brisnet Speed rating. One more step forward can place Dynamic One in win contention for two-time Travers-winning trainer Todd Pletcher.
| Total 3 start(s) |
Top Speed Rating: (100) when finishing second in the Curlin S. |
| Wins: 1 | Total Earnings: $77,280 |
| Place: 1 | |
| Show: 0 |
| Owner: Peter M. Brant and Robert V. LaPenta | Sire: Curlin |
| Breeder: River Bend Farm | Dam: Sound the Trumpets |
| Trainer: Chad Brown | Color: Bay |
| Jockey: Flavien Prat |
Although Miles D is easily the least experienced of the Travers entrants, that doesn't mean he can't step up and challenge at a big price. A stoutly bred son of Curlin out of a Bernardini mare, Miles D is bred to relish running 1 1/4 miles and has definitely gotten better with every extra furlong he's run so far. A maiden winner racing one mile at Belmont Park, Miles D recently finished second in the 1 1/8-mile Curlin S. at Saratoga, beaten just 1 3/4 lengths by Dynamic One. Miles D still has plenty of upside for improvement, and it's encouraging to see hot jockey Flavien Prat named to ride.
| Total 7 start(s) |
Top Speed Rating: (102) when winning the Ohio Derby (G3). |
| Wins: 3 | Total Earnings: $494,208 |
| Place: 0 | |
| Show: 2 |
| Owner: FTGGG Racing | Sire: Upstart |
| Breeder: Brereton C. Jones | Dam: Cry War Eagle |
| Trainer: Al Stall | Color: Bay |
| Jockey: Miguel Mena |
A perfect trip should be in the offing for Masqueparade, who showed grit and tenacity when defeating King Fury and Keepmeinmind by a half-length in the Ohio Derby (G3). The speedy son of Upstart figures to stalk Midnight Bourbon through modest fractions, opening the door for a strong showing. But Masqueparade couldn't quite keep pace with Essential Quality and Keepmeinmind when weakening to finish third in the Jim Dandy S. (G2) at Saratoga last month, so a stronger effort will be necessary for Masqueparade to spring a Travers surprise.
| Total 8 start(s) | Top Speed Rating: (101) when finishing second in the Ohio Derby (G3). |
| Wins: 3 | Total Earnings: $362,739 |
| Place: 1 | |
| Show: 0 |
| Owner: Three Chimneys Farm and Fern Circle Stables | Sire: Curlin |
| Breeder: Heider Family Stables | Dam: Taris |
| Trainer: Kenny McPeek | Color: Chestnut |
| Jockey: Jose Ortiz |
With morning-line odds of 15-1, King Fury is the longest shot in the Travers field. But is he really such a far-fetched win candidate? The beautifully bred son of Curlin kicked off 2021 with an eye-catching victory in the Lexington S. (G3) at Keeneland, capitalizing on a fast pace to explode from eighth place and dominate by 2 3/4 lengths. Then—after missing the Kentucky Derby with an illness—King Fury rallied to run second in the Ohio Derby (G3), beaten just a half-length while flying at the finish. Draw a line through his subsequent 10th-place effort on turf in the Saratoga Derby, and King Fury's form looks excellent. Victory in the Travers appears to be within reach, especially if a contested pace unfolds.
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