Great way to kick off Travers week – the worst card of the season. Have to wait and see if something interesting pops up.

Race 1      6-1-4

Frosty Margarita looked good first time out in July at BEL, losing to the talented Wonderment. Don’t like that the workout tab stops July 29. Not a bet at the ML odds, but the field is not stellar. Legend of Lorelei broke slow last out but still managed to pass horses in the stretch. Has an eye-catching workout. Lady’s First certainly has the breeding to beat the field, although her maiden voyage looked like a bit of a struggle. Gets a chance to improve today.

Race 2      1-6-7

Great Attack is a veteran at the distance and has a win and a second in three starts at SAR. Comes off a win at the price and distance. Thomas Hill has consistent figures  and should be coming at the end. Mish Mosh is 6 of 9 in the money at the distance and 2 of 4 at SAR. Should be a speed factor.

Race 3      5-1-6

Regent’s House ran a bang-up race first time out in 2015 and with a little improvement should lead the field to the wire. Two Taps broke his maiden in good fashion this spring at SA and continued in good fashion with a good second at a mile at BEL after stumbling at the start and having some trouble during the race. If she’s in good shape she’s a definite danger. Paris Bikini has been in over her head but hasn’t been embarrassed completely in those races. Has the connections to be a threat.

Race 4      8-3-4

Shotgun Love takes the blinkers off and gets a switch to Alvarado. Has been a little faint hearted in the stretch but should finally catch a fast track and that should make a difference. Glare Ice only has two starts at IND but showed good speed in both before fading. Good series of works up to this race and Asmussen engages Jose Ortiz for the trip. Little Mary Ellen has been at this level a while but gets Johnny V for the trip. Better chances today.

Race 5      6-4-1

This is a competitive field for six horses. Elements of Harmony was an easy winner for these connections in July at BEL. Doesn’t have the credentials of some of this field but at 10-1 it’s worth looking to see how good she might be, Dating Lady Luck has a second over this turf course and should be a handful in the stretch. Was good enough to merit a start with G1 horses but is far better placed today. Tapitry nearly ran down the winner in an $80K OC two weeks ago. Regular rider Johnny V opts to go elsewhere here so that may be of concern, but I like the continuous improvement.

Race 6      1-8-4

All Rise comes off a race where jockey Lezcano lost his whip but he still finished decently. Gets Lasix today. Securitiz got caught in a paceless race and never was able to get to the winner, but did manage to almost catch the place horse. He was wide throughout, and the outside post today may make it tough again. Captain Tim almost went to his knees at the start, was very wide around the turn and didn’t really get into the race.  His penultimate race was a good second at BEL. Has a legitimate shot here.

Race 7      8-5-7

Three for Me figures much better at the mile than the short sprint. Should be part of the scrum up front. Readtheprospectus has been competitive in state-bred stakes and has won 50% of his races. Is also 1 of 2 on the turf so no reason to expect he won’t take to the lawn. Wildniteattheopera looked like a new horse first time on the turf and with any improvement should be a factor in this race.

Race 8      3-1-5

Catch My Drift is coming off a short rest for Chad Brown. She broke her maiden at first asking so the layoff should be of concern. Is graded stakes placed and her last race figure looks positive. Tiz So Sweet dominated a OC$62 field first time out in 2015 and should be well poised here for a top effort. Samantha Nicole has a second at SAR and has been in good condition in 2015. Gets Johnny V for the trip.

Race 9      2-3-10

Hope’s Roar improved a lot when trying the SAR turf for the first time and may have the biggest potential for improvement. Cosmic Tale improved when dropped to the MCL level, although she looked a little dull in the stretch last out. Looks the best on paper but I’d avoid overrating him. Weekend Hottie was claimed two back and the new trainer is trying blinkers. Another ambiguous play in this race.