Horse Racing Picks: Travers Stakes Prediction, Preview, and Odds (Aug 26)
- The โMidsummer Derbyโ takes place at Saratoga this weekend
- The Travers Stakes is a standout event for horses aged three on the U.S. calendar
Huge racing action takes place at Saratoga this weekend, as the feature race of the summer meet is staged. The Travers Stakes has seen some legendary winners throughout history, and a small but high-quality field will go to post for a fascinating renewal of the Grade 1 this weekend.
Schedule and How To Watch
- When: Saturday, August 26, 2023 from 6:11 p.m. ET
- Where: Saratoga, New York
- How To Watch: FanDuel TV
Travers Stakes Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Forte | |
| Arcangelo | |
| Mage | |
| Disarm | |
| National Treasure | |
| Scotland | |
| Tapit Trice |
Race Preview
The Travers Stakes is one of the standout races on the summer schedule in the United States, with the field competing for their share of the $1.25 million purse. The race is staged over a distance of 1 ยผ miles, with recent winners of the Grade 1 including Epicenter, Essential Quality, and Arrogate.
All three of the Triple Crown winners are involved this weekend, but it is long-time Kentucky Derby favorite Forte who heads the betting. The three-year-old was scratched late for the race at Churchill Downs, but he retains his high potential. Forte was last in action over 1 1/8 miles at Saratoga, landing the Jim Dandy in impressive fashion, scoring a speed rating of 112. However, he was beaten by Arcangelo in the G1 Belmont Stakes, which would be the biggest concern.
READ MORE: Canelo Alvarez vs Jermell Charlo Prediction, Preview, and Odds (Sept 30)
The Belmont Stakes winner was a shock victor of the Triple Crown race at Belmont Park, and it will be fascinating to see whether he can back-up that effort this weekend. The Jena Antonucci runner is a two-time stakes winner, and is likely the horse with the least to prove over the Travers distance
Mage was in excellent form in the opening months of 2023, taking full advantage of Forteโs absence in the Kentucky Derby to land victory from Two Philโs. However, he could only finish second in the Preakness Stakes after a two-week break, and was last seen finishing second in the G1 Haskell behind a very impressive Geaux Rocket Ride.
Meanwhile, Tapit Trice looks well held on that form, after he could only finish fifth. National Treasure could be the value angle after landing the Preakness, but he has an awful lot to find in this company after finishing only sixth in the Belmont Stakes.
Travers Stakes Prediction
Forte needs a massive Grade 1 win this weekend to fulfill his potential, but we expect a big run from Arcangelo to prove that his Belmont success was no fluke. Meanwhile, Scotland for William Mott could be an interesting contender to round off the Exacta, as he looked hugely progressive at Saratoga in the Curlin Stakes, holding off both Blazing Sevens and Il Miracolo.
Free Pick:
- Exacta: (1) Forte/ (2) Arcangelo/ (7) Scotland
