2011 Travers Stakes: Potential Entries

Written by Deborah Nicks
Monday, 22 August 2011 23:30

It’s time to preview the potential entries that will be running in the 2011 Travers Stakes.

We’ll be covering the 2011 Travers Stakes throughout the week and it all starts with a look at the potential entries that will be running the 1 ¼-mile race on August 27th.  There are 11 horses that I’m hearing are probable entries for the 2011 Travers Stakes and we’ll preview the field as it stands now.  Make sure to check back throughout the week because we’ll be releasing tips and horse racing picks after the post positions and morning line odds are announced at Saratoga Race Course.

2011 Travers Stakes – Potential Entries:

Coil – The likely favorite is coming off a huge win in the Haskell over fellow Travers Stakes probable entries in Shackleford and Ruler On Ice.  Sired by 2001 Haskell and Travers Stakes winner Point Given, Coil should be listed at around 5-2.

Shackleford – The winner of the 2011 Preakness Stakes will look to wire the field once again at the 2011 Travers Stakes.  Distance shouldn’t be a problem here but his quick fractions could set up some closers if anyone pressures the lead.

Stay Thirsty – The 2011 Belmont Stakes runner-up is coming off of a win in the Jim Dandy over Travers Stakes contender Moonshine Mullin.  Stay Thirsty will likely have Javier Castellano on mount, and the jockey has won the Travers Stakes twice over the last 5 years.

Ruler On Ice – This contender won the 2011 Belmont Stakes before coming up 3rd last time out in the Haskell.  This is a horse that has excelled with distance and the Travers Stakes should be to Ruler On Ice’s liking.

Rattlesnake Bridge – Although he’s coming off a nice win in the Long Branch, I still have my questions about Rattlesnake Bridge.  He’s never gone this distance before and has only raced at longer than a mile on one occasion.  On top of that, the Long Branch victory was his first in 4 tries since breaking his maiden.

Bowman’s Causeway – This guy has won just 1 career race over 9 tries but has finished 2nd in 2 of his last 3.  Bowman’s Causeway has never raced at Saratoga but he does have numerous races at longer than a mile.

Prayer For Relief – He has won 3 straight since coming to dirt from synthetic races and is the champion of the West Virginia Derby and the Iowa Derby.  The level of competition in the Travers Stakes might be a bit much but you could do worse than winning your last 3.

Malibu Glow – This might be your 2011 Travers Stakes long shot after only capturing career wins in a maiden and an allowance.  The 5th place finisher in the 2011 Dwyer Stakes will be one of the most unheralded Travers Stakes entries if he ends up in the gate at post time.

Raison d’Etat – It took him 3 tries to break his maiden but Raison d’Etat did run a solid 2nd in the Curlin from Saratoga last time out.  Sired by the great A.P. Indy, there is no doubting that the pedigree to succeed is there.

J W Blue – This will be his first career run at Saratoga and J W Blue has not won a race outside of a maiden and an allowance.  He finished 2nd in the Barbaro last time out and also finished behind Concealed Identity and Travers hopeful Ruler On Ice in the Federico Tesio in May.

Moonshine Mullin – Another one of the Travers Stakes potential entries that will be listed at longer odds, Moonshine Mullin is coming off a 2nd place finish in the Jim Dandy at Saratoga.  Another Travers Stakes contender, Stay Thirsty, ended up winning that race.  It was Moonshine Mullin’s first career start on dirt and does create some intrigue as to his potential on the surface.