Travers Showdown: Bernardini vs. Bluegrass Cat

Both colts have always possessed vast qualities to be top racehorses, and the Travers is a fitting forum for the two best sophomores in training to meet for the first time to settle which colt is truly at the head of the class.

This sterling match-up pairs many things. It represents the owning juggernaut of Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, and his Darley Stable vs. the leading trainer charge that is Todd Pletcher. It is top stallions A.P. Indy vs. Storm Cat. It is Jim Dandy winner vs. Haskell winner.

In fact, this year’s renewal of the Travers bills so much between these two stars of the sport that Saturday’s end result is certain to come after a thrilling duel between Bernardini and Bluegrass Cat at some point in the race. Or at least that is what many desperate fans of the sport hope for - the same fans that saw perhaps the best 3-year-old - Barbaro – grotesquely suffer a career ending injury in front of the world in the Preakness a little more than three months ago.

-Joel Cunningham