The Travers Vault post of the day will be up later on with Unshaded and Chief's Crown being today's recaps. However this morning some breaking news happend and effects this year's Travers.
Rachel Alexandra will not be going, Kensei will be going according to their trainer Steve Asmussen. Instead, Rachel will be going to the Woodward which is next Saturday, and could make history if she does win. This is because, she will become the first female horse to win this prostigous race. Unfortanlly, her detrators think she should face Quality Road in the Travers since many of them think he can beat her. I'm not so sure though as he is taking a step up in distance, going a mile and quarter. The other thing is he's not facing Theregoesjojo or Capt. Candyman Can. Mine That Bird, Summer Bird, Kensei, Chartiable Man (Who ironcly has the same breeder as Quality Road), and Warrior's Reward are no slouches. Our Edge has the speed where he could easily steal the race. Also with his feet, wouldn't you think that it would be better to wait a week and give them even more time to heal? Again this is just my opinon, I'm not a huge Quality Road fan, but I hope he does well.
This leaves us to who will face Rachel? According to DRF.com, Asiatic Boy, Bullsbay, Cool Coal Man, Da' Tara, Macho Again and It's a Bird could be her opionets. There is one tiny problem though, according to another DRF article Graham Motion, the trainer of Bullsbay does not want to face her. And niether does really Terry Finley the owner of West Point Thoroughbreds (owners of Macho Again), especially if she did in the Oaks without his filly Justwhistledixie in the race. Asiatic Boy has done okay since his move over from Europe/Dubai/South Africa. Cool Coal Man could challenge Rachel if his BFF Da' Tara has an honest pace. But even then, if Rach sits right off last year's Belmont winner he doesn't have a chance. It's a Bird was DQ'ed from his Oaklawn Handicap win and really has not done alot since. One horse who could show up and it will be interesting is Jonesboro. While he's based in the Mid-West, he has NY connections through his dam. She happens to be Hall of Famer Mom's Command, and Jonesboro is her only stakes winning foal. It will be interesting if these two do hook up.
In the end may the best horse (colt, horse, gelding, filly or mare) win the race. I promise to have today's Travers Vault post up withen the next 3 to 4 hours.
Update (4:39 PM): Just as I was looking on Tweet Deck (an application for Twitter, West Point will run Macho Again in the Woodward. Of all those nominated, he is the one other then Quality Road (who will stay in the Travers), fear the most. Especially since he's coming off a nice 2nd place finish behind Bullsbay in the Whitney)
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