2011 Travers Stakes: Picks on Winner & Trifecta

Written by Jake Thompson
Friday, 26 August 2011 23:02

It’s time to make horse racing picks on the 2011 Travers Stakes as we near post time.

The 2011 Travers Stakes will be broadcast live on NBC with a 5:45 PM ET post time, and we hope that our horse racing picks on the winner and the trifecta will put some cash in your pocket.  The Travers Stakes is the first of two races being shown live on August 27th and our betting picks are already out for the earlier race – the 2011 King’s Bishop Stakes.  Let’s take a look at the horses’ odds and post positions while we look for the perfect Travers Stakes picks to make.

We’d also like to point out our online racebook comparison tool for those looking to bet on the Travers Stakes.  In addition to being able to wager on tracks all over the country from home, there are also some nice sign-up bonuses out there.  Why bet $100 on the Travers Stakes when some of these online racebooks will give you a free $50 just for using our link to get started?

2011 Travers Stakes – Horses, Post Positions, and Odds:

1 – Bowman’s Causeway, 12-1

2 – Rattlesnake Bridge, 8-1

3 – Moonshine Mullin, 20-1

4 – Ruler On Ice, 20-1

5 – Malibu Glow, 20-1

6 – Raison d’Etat, 10-1

7 – Coil, 3-1

8 – J W Blue, 20-1

9 – Stay Thirsty, 5-2

10 – Shackleford, 9-2

2011 Travers Stakes – Tips and Thoughts:

The very first thing I want to point out here is that Hurricane Irene is coming in quick and a sloppy track is expected at Saratoga at this time.  Ruler On Ice has been a dominant runner in these conditions and you have to like him to excel where he’d otherwise not stack up in my opinion.  I don’t know if there is a horse in the world who has had luckier weather than this guy, and he’s expected to again get the wet track that he prefers.

Shackleford will try to wire the field and he usually does but he’s starting from the far outside spot in the gate and he’ll have to deal with traffic and expelled energy to get to the rail.  It’s never safe to count a horse this talented out but it is tough to find a spot for him in my Travers Stakes picks with that horrible post position.  It won't be easy, but he has the skill to figure in regardless.

Coil and Rattlesnake Bridge will be coming from off the pace and I think both have the ability to do well here if anyone challenges Shakleford for the lead.  The problem is that I’m not seeing anything that makes me believe that Shackleford will really be challenged, and that could hurt the closers.  Raison d’Etat is another horse I like but the lack of pace could once again hurt him.

2011 Travers Stakes – Picks on the Trifecta Box:

Shackleford, 9-2

Ruler On Ice, 6-1

Raison d’Etat, 10-1

2011 Travers Stakes – Picks on the Winner:

Ruler On Ice, 6-1

This is a tough race to figure out because another horse could come and challenge Shackleford and screw up my handicapping, but I honestly just don’t see it.  I’m expecting Shackleford to get out in front with the lack of speed harming the closers in the field.  Ruler On Ice will stalk and his love of the conditions should get him a nice victory, while Raison d’Etat makes our trifecta Travers picks because I just believe he’s ready to run a big race.  A horse changing up his style and stalking the pace closely could throw in a wrench, but ultimately I think Ruler On Ice has the perfect conditions and pace scenario to take home a win in the 2011 Travers Stakes.