Who exactly the leading three-year-old colt in the nation is might finally be decided Saturday in the $1.25 million Travers (G1) at Saratoga over 1 1/4 miles.
Although recent signs point to Dornoch as pro tem leader of the division following back-to-back wins in the Belmont (G1) and Haskell (G1), his position is precarious. In three meetings this season against Sierra Leone, the latter has finished ahead of Dornoch twice.
Sierra Leone, however, has dropped three straight since winning the Blue Grass (G1) in April. The latest was in the Jim Dandy (G2) to Fierceness, whom he finished far ahead of in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
“It seems he runs into a horse on their best day every time, but that’s horse racing,” trainer Chad Brown said. “Often times it’s been his best number, too.”
The Derby has been the only prior meeting between Fierceness, who also captured the Florida Derby (G1) in March, and Dornoch, whose other stakes win this term occurred in the Fountain of Youth (G2). Fierceness finished 15th in the Derby, while Dornoch was a rough-trip 10th.
Looking to throw a monkey wrench in that race within a race is the country’s leading three-year-old filly, Thorpedo Anna. Undefeated this season following blowout scores in the Fantasy (G3), Kentucky Oaks (G1), Acorn (G1), and Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), Thorpedo Anna is trained by Kenny McPeek, who saddled the filly Swiss Skydiver to a victory over Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Authentic in the 2020 Preakness (G1).
No filly, however, has won the Travers in more than a century. The last to do it was Lady Rotha in 1915, and only five fillies have placed in it since. The latest was Chris Evert, who finished third in 1974.
“It’s hard to win three Grade 1s in a row, and it’s a really tough race,” said Danny Gargan, the trainer of Dornoch. “The filly is special, and she’s as good as anybody. And Fierceness, if he shows up, he’s spectacular. If he shows up, we’re all in trouble.”
Travers history is not without numerous examples of others upsetting the apple cart, a prominent example being Canadian invader Runaway Groom’s surprise win in 1982 over Triple Crown race winners Conquistador Cielo, Aloma’s Ruler, and Gato Del Sol.
Among those looking to topple the four main players is Unmatched Wisdom, who debuted only after the Kentucky Derby was run and is 3-for-3, including a one-length win over Corporate Power in the restricted Curlin S. at Saratoga on July 19.
Dornoch, Fierceness, Thorpedo Anna, and Unmatched Wisdom tend to race prominently. Another of that ilk is Ohio Derby (G3) winner Batten Down, though his relative class was already exposed to an extent in the Jim Dandy, where he finished a distant third behind Fierceness and Sierra Leone.
Likely to join Sierra Leone near the back of the field early, despite adding blinkers for the Travers, is Grade 2 winner Honor Marie. Winless in four starts this term, Honor Marie perhaps will get the pace he needs, but whether he is good enough is open to question after finishing eighth in the Kentucky Derby and fourth in the Belmont.
Once again, the highlight of the summer at Saratoga is a must-see race.
