Expert Pick of the Week: Travers Stakes
Aug 06, 2020
The signature event of the Saratoga meeting will take place on Saturday when eight sophomores travel 1 1/4 miles in the $1 million Travers S. (G1). The 2020 Road to the Kentucky Derby series event will reward the top-four finishers with qualifying points to the 'Run for the Roses' on September 5 on a 100-40-20-10 basis.
Belmont (G1) winner Tiz the Law is the clear one to beat for conditioner Barclay Tagg. Bred in the Empire State, the superb son of Constitution has been a dominant winner in five of his six lifetime performances to date, and he is the unquestioned class of the field with a trio of Grade 1 tallies to his credit.
The bay colt was a facile debut winner on the Saratoga main surface as a juvenile, and his recent morning drills at the Spa hint that he is ready to deliver yet another high-quality performance under regular rider Manny Franco. Tiz the Law drew well and also possesses the tactical speed to be in range from the early stages of the Midsummer Derby.
Country Grammer is 2-for-2 at 9 furlongs and gives the impression of a colt who will thrive with the added ground on Saturday. Conditioned by Chad Brown, the $450,000 2-year-old purchase has steadily improved in 2020 and comes off a game victory in the Peter Pan (G3) on the surface.
The son of Tonalist put in a sharp half-mile work on the course last weekend, and he could sit a nice trip in the Travers behind what expects to be a strong early pace. Standout jockey Irad Ortiz will guide the Kentucky-bred.
An exacta with Tiz the Law on top of Country Grammer is the Best Bet of the Week.
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