Haskell Invitational H. (G1) winner ROMAN RULER (Fusaichi Pegasus) tops a
field of seven entered for Saturday’s $1 million Travers S. (G1) at Saratoga.
The Bob Baffert-trained colt brings a two-race winning skein into the 1 1/4-mile
event, having captured the Dwyer S. (G2) prior to a 1 1/4-length score in the
Haskell last out, and will be ridden by Jerry Bailey. Listed as the 5-2 second
choice on the morning line, Roman Ruler could easily go favored in the 136th
running of the “Mid-Summer Derby.”
Multiple Grade 2 hero FLOWER ALLEY (Distorted Humor), runner-up by a
half-length in the Dwyer, will attempt to turn the tables on his talented rival.
Trained by Todd Pletcher, Flower Alley figures to show speed under
John Velazquez and enters off a sharp 5 1/4-length romp in the Jim Dandy S. (G2)
earlier in the meet. The chestnut colt is the 3-1 third choice on the morning
line.
Recent Hall of Fame inductee Nick Zito, who earned his first Travers victory
with Birdstone last year, will send out an uncoupled pair which is topped by BELLAMY ROAD (Concerto), a 17
1/2-length winner of the Wood Memorial (G1) and unraced since a seventh-place
finish as the favorite in the Kentucky Derby (G1). The George Steinbrenner-owned
colt is the 2-1 early favorite and will have regular rider Javier Castellano up. Belmont S. (G1) runner-up
ANDROMEDA’S HERO (Fusaichi Pegasus), third in the Jim Dandy most recently, will
also represent Zito.
From the rail, the Travers field is Bellamy Road; Andromeda’s Hero, Corey
Nakatani, 12-1; CHEKHOV (Pulpit), Gary Stevens, 10-1; Roman Ruler; DON’T GET MAD (Stephen
Got Even), Edgar Prado, 10-1; REVERBERATE (Thunder Gulch), Jose Santos, 8-1; and Flower
Alley.
All starters will carry 126 pounds.