Travers week officially begins!
 

Ok, tomorrow morning marks the beginning of travers hype and Travers week. Looking forward to the coverage of this matchup that looks to be unfolding. May the best horse(and his trainer) win.

Knowing your love for Albertrani, I"m assuming you're statement is intended as a declaration that Bluegrass Cat will win the Travers. No? :)

This is going to be great fun - oh boy, I can't wait to see these boards after the race! I just hope it's a nice day and a fast track; it seems like Travers day always comes up gloomy and sloppy..

Not really, I think its a matter of it being kind of fascinating that for once Pletcher is the underdog in a big race like this and that he will actually get the credit he deserves if he wins.
Every time Todd wins a race everyone acts like its no big deal because " he was supposed to". I think seeing him the underdog role is something interesting, don't you?

And Zippy its not about what i think about Albertrani. Its how I feel about the lack of respect that Pletcher gets from many here. You know, he has a lotta well bred nice horses. But he wins a lot with those horses. Its not so easy as you think it is. And when he does win its all ho hum, he was supposed to win. When he loses everyone jumps ugly on him. Its a bull**** double standard and its wrong. Hes not having his best meet ever, but hes still around the 20% plus mark. If he was 1-18(or in his case with so many starters, lets say 4-72 which would be the equivalent) you guys would be roasting him on a spit and degrading him daily. So whats up with double standard? I guess if he wins this one that he isnt supposed to win, maybe some will be forced to give him credit.
The guy is the ultimate professional. And I think even with all hes done he doesnt get the credit he deserves. So I'm not "rooting against" Tom Albertrani and Bernadini. I'm "rooting for" Todd and Bluegrass cat, there is a difference. I will say that if Cat loses I hope Bern wins. Any time you get a horse who has superstar potential its great for the game, and Bern has that potential.

You're right Betsy, this place is going to light up after this weekend, no matter the outcome. I can just see it now.

I don't think you were saying this directly at me, but I'll say it anyway... I've never "roasted" or "attacked" Pletcher. Of course he's the best. I was just prodding you about who you think will win the Travers.

I like the fact that Pletcher's horses (ridden by J.V and for some reason not Gomez) are expected to win at Saratoga....gives me great odds on his 'also rans' (Octave anybody?) and the rest of the field. :cool:

Yes. I know I do.

There's no 3-year-old that can beat Mr. 'dini.. I'll entertain anyone who says Invasor will beat him.. That's absolutely valid for now.. Even Lava Man has a case for the moment.. But no 3-year-old is beating Bern' Baby Bern'..

I don't see the Travers being competitive. Probably a 5-10 length win for Bernardini. I expect BGC to bounce and even his best effort wouldn't keep him within 5 of the winner. Only one horse has a shot at Bernardini this year, Invasor. Bright One might have a shot come BCC time. If I had to bet right now though I would think Bernardini and David Junior will fight it out in the BCC and Bernardini will win by a length.

I love David Junior but you're putting in a lot of faith for him, especially considering that they are training him up to the race.

This isn't going to be much of race, Bernardini will win by 3 over Bluegrass Cat with some longshot rounding out the tri.

Where are all of Baffert's horses? You would think that he would take a shot with either Point Determined, Sinister Minister (who should have ran in the Haskell), or Bob and John. Second or third place money is better than working bullets over and over again.

Bright One is being completely overlooked both as a contender and as a pace factor that is of key importance. His wins have been spectacular, especially his WV Derby. Hes got a lot of speed, a whole lot. Bernadini will not be coasting along with Bright One in the race. I think his presence gives Bluegrass Cat a chance to stalk the hot pace and maybe catch them with a stretch move. Especially if the track plays fair(like it has most of the meet) and gives closers a shot.

Bright One was announced out of the race yesterday.

I dont think people are ho-hum when Pletchers wins. He should be winning at 20% because of the stock he gets. 20% to him is like 11%-14% for the trainer who doesnt get the stock that Pletchers. To me, Pletcher is as good as he is because of the horses he gets. He gets good horses because he is a good trainer. Like any trainer, you are only as good as the horse. Now a great trainers takes a horse and makes into something. Lava Man is a perfect example. A former claimer, O'Neil has found something that works. I have yet to see Pletcher take an average horse and turn him/her into something great. What he does and I admire greatly is that he takes very good horses and makes them very good horses. Basically, he doesnt screw them up. He is by far the best trainer in spotting his horses. The man knows how to win and he is a first class trainer.

As far as the Travers it is going to be very interesting. Bernardini is prob going to have to pass Bluegrass Cat. Of course this all depends on post position. But Bluegrass Cat has got to try and stay in front. BC can be very hard to pass in the stretch. BC is a very very good horse and so is Bernardini. But would anyone be surprised if either of these two didnt win? I mean it is Saratoga, both horses are coming off huge efforts and these horses arent machines.

Geez was he really. I guess I was too busy suffering and sleeping to read that. Where was it announced? Last time I heard he was gonna run if he worked ok.

Take an average horse and make it win? Are you insane or high or both? Fleet Indian was a NY bred who couldnt even beat NY breds until Pletcher got her earlier this year and shes now a grade one winning machine whose been winning her races by the lengths of football fields and is clearly the division leader. And thats what I'm talking about, no respect whatsoever.

DRF ran an article yesterday online on it

Thanks Scav, I assume its in Wednesday's DRF, which I bought this morning but haven't had the energy to open up and read and start doing work on tomorrow's card yet.