I agree, I'm guessing Verrazano to the PA Derby.

I would cut him back for the Kings Bishop. If he pairs that up with today, he would be a solid contender for best 3yr old. Hard to imagine Orb not firing a big race for the Travers. And Palace Malice finally ran fast yesterday. Exciting rest of the year if they all stay healthy.

Running at Saratoga, especially for the Travers, is pretty high up on all owner's dreams. I doubt any of the owners want to bow out with their horse because Pletcher has another horse in there.

Hard Spun won the Bishop and I think you can argue he was best of that class. No worst then second.

I think there will be other reasons. To me, it looks like Verranzo needs 45-60 days between starts to run his best race and continue to progress.

Ultimately it will come down to the owners, and if Verranzo was owned by Repole he would be in the Travers, but I agree, I would side with him skipping the Travers, run in the Penn Derby, and then a BC Race, which would probably be the Classic.

I would have to think that Pletcher will take one look at Verrazano's rag number and give him the 45-60 days you mentioned...

didn't todd have something like 30% of the belmont field and like 25% of the derby field? i imagine some of them "slugged it out" with eachother...just sayin

TODD HAS LOTS OF SPRINTERS...

Fair point.

But I feel like the TC races (especially the Derby) are totally different situations.

Part of my thinking is:
The owners are from right around Monmouth which is about an hour from Parx. Reportedly they have wanted to run close to home and had a huge turnout yesterday. He is probably better off at the PA Derby distance and the race spacing seems to fit the pattern of his best performances. He will be odds on in PA instead of bumping into another very good improving horse trained by Pletcher.

Who else is gonna be in the BC Dirt Mile?

Obviously, it's easy for me to say, but I'd prolly go PA Derby, BC Dirt Mile, then Cigar Mile, then regroup for next year, which would include running a 153 BSF in the Donn for Pletcher.

That being said, it will be Travers, BC Classic, then retirement.

People think Verrazano shouldn't go to the Travers?

Not shouldn't but why I wouldn't be suprised if/when he doesn't.

I think everyone is praying that he does go, unfortunately we are preparing ourselves with the possible excuses for when he opts out and shows up for the Penn Derby.

should and will are 2 different things

Before yesterday's Haskell, was talking with a friend and put the over/under on races left in Verrazano's career at 1.5. Not sure if yesterday's result changes the equation.

Woodward, BC Dirt Mile, and Cigar. I don't think he wants 1 1/4 but voters might overlook that if he could beat older horses 2 or 3 times.

Drf article says its the Travers. I dont care if he ran a 130 on Sunday. I dont want him going 10f in the Travers vs better horses. I love Oxbow as much as anyone and he did now show up at all Sunday, and was injured. Take him out there was no one in the Haskell. A lot of horses run fast races with easy trips when the competition is backing up not offering any resistance. Regarding the Travers I can only hope they destroy V at the windows off this 116 beyer. Im happy with Orb, Palace Mallice and the KMC entry that ran 1-2 in the Curlin.