2024 Travers Stakes Offers Big Opportunity for Betting Profits

2024 Travers Stakes Betting Lines

4 Predictions for 2024 Travers Stakes

Thorpedo Anna Tries to Make History

Thorpedo Anna tries 1¼ miles – and the boys – for the first time. The last filly to win the Travers Stakes was Lady Rotha in 1915. Four have tried since. Wonder Gadot was the last, finishing last in 2018. Thorpedo Anna is 6-for-7 lifetime with all her wins by at least 4 lengths. The farthest she’s been behind in her victories is two lengths. Thorpedo Anna will be ridden hard from post 1 by Brian Hernandez Jr., who guided Mystik Dan to an upset victory in the Kentucky Derby. Hernandez should be able to keep Thorpedo Anna close if he doesn’t make the lead.

Dornoch Clinches 3-Year-Old Title With Victory

Dornoch, part owned by former MLB player Jayson Werth, won the Belmont Stakes in June at 17-1 in the horse racing odds. That race was held at Saratoga while Belmont Park undergoes major renovations, and was run at 1¼ miles – the same distance as the Travers. Dornoch followed that with a victory in the Haskell Stakes at Monmouth in July at 3-1. You’ll know where to find him on Saturday as all his success has come on or very close to the lead. Luis Saez has ridden Dornoch to all his triumphs. One more clinches the 3-year-old title.

Good/Bad Race Pattern Working Against Fierceness

The Beyer speed figures for Fierceness are dizzying with their good race, bad race pattern: 95, 59, 105, 84, 110, 67, 103. The results? Win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win. Uh-oh for Fierceness.

The 103 was earned after winning the Jim Dandy – a prep for the Travers – in July at Saratoga. He held off Sierra Leone that day for jockey John Velazquez, who rides Fierceness for the sixth straight time. Post 8 won’t be an issue. He has plenty of early speed to glide over before the first turn. Fierceness is trained by Todd Pletcher, who owns two Travers victories (2005, 2011).

Sierra Leone Must Overcome Lack of Early Speed

Sierra Leone’s lack of early speed makes it hard for him to control his own destiny. His closing style leaves him too far behind most of the time, and traffic plus the consistent ability to run a straight line has led to three straight in-the-money finishes but zero wins. Chad Brown grew up near Saratoga and is headed for his fourth straight training title at the Spa, but has never won the Travers. Flavien Prat rides Sierra Leone. Prat is contending for his first Eclipse Award as outstanding jockey. He must push all the right buttons to launch Sierra Leone’s victorious run.

How the Race is Won

Horse racing predictions can easily be predicated by how one thinks the race will be run. Here is a clear vision for the Travers Stakes in what shapes up as an exciting edition.

Sierra Leone is expected to bide his time and save ground from post 2. Honor Marie, with new rider Tyler Gaffalione, should have little trouble gliding over to the rail from post 6. They are the only ones without a lick of early speed, although Honor Marie wears blinkers for the first time.

Thorpedo Anna has little choice but to gun from the rail with Dornoch and Fierceness firing from the outside. Unmatched Wisdom, also trained by Brown, is sure to be part of the early fray, and could help set up favorable fractions for stablemate Sierra Leone. Batten Down could also join the early vanguard, adding to the potential for a fast start and some tired horses in the stretch.

Speed at Saratoga is always dangerous, but too much could be just enough for Sierra Leone to blow by them all, with longshot Honor Marie in tow. Jockeys on speed horses that get passed in the stretch tend not to persevere, giving Honor Marie a good shot to finish second.

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