Saturday, August 24th is finally Travers day at Saratoga for the 2024 meet. With some of the top three year olds in the country, including the filly Thorpedo Anna, the card is shaping up to be one of the best of the year thus far. Preceding the Travers are four straight grade I races, starting in the ninth with the Sword Dancer and going to the twelfth with the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial. With plenty of opportunity for the best of the best, it is no surprise that two Midlantic bred runners have made their way to the starting gate. One each will compete in the Forego and H. Allen, both seven furlong dirt sprints which directly precede the Travers. While these entries begin with different expectations, both have proven they can excel at the Spa with strong recent efforts over this same dirt course.

Starting in the eleventh race, Pennsylvania bred Twisted Ride will begin as a 15/1 morning line long-shot after a bang-up third in the Grade I Alfred G. Vanderbilt last month. After stepping up from an allowance try at Parx to the Vanderbilt, it was no surprise seeing this Michael Moore trainee go off at 34/1 against a stronger field. Typically showing early speed, returning jockey Kendrick Carmouche held Twisted Ride directly behind the leaders, able to hold for third at the six furlong distance. This finish was a huge accomplishment for the five year old gelding by Great Notion – Diva’s Gold, by Tenpins, and even in a six horse field showed that he could compete at the highest level. Now in an eight horse group with an extra furlong to go, the goings certainly won’t be easier this time around, but his twenty for twenty-six record in the money indicates that Twisted Ride should be ready to run well. Twisted Ride was bred by Kasey K Racing Stable LLC who also owns with Michael R. Day and Final Turn Racing Stable LLC and will break from post two.

In the following race, three year olds will compete at the same seven furlong distance on the dirt in the H. Allen Jerkens with a jam-packed eleven horse field. In a larger field with no clear cut odds on favorite, there is plenty of opportunity for these younger runners to further distinguish themselves in their division. Even in an evenly matched group, there is always a standout, with New Jersey bred Book’em Danno entering as the 7/2 morning line favorite. After an impressive win in the Grade I Woody Stephens on Belmont weekend at Saratoga, this gelding by Bucchero – Adorabella, by Ghostzapper won the Jersey Shore Stakes at Monmouth going a bit shorter at six furlongs. Book’em Danno typically closes from mid pack and was able to hold off a late bid by Bob Baffert’s Prince of Monaco in the Woody Stephens. Prince of Monaco enters here as the second choice on the morning line at 4/1, one of the many formidable opponents who will be chasing the favorite late. Even in defeat, the Derek Ryan trained Book’em Danno has never finished worse than second in eight tries, with both career losses coming at a mile. With his near spotless record and strength at sprint distances, it is easy to see why he is able to stand out amongst such a challenging group, and obtaining the services of Javier Castellano in this spot certainly helps. Bred by Gregory J Kilka & Bright View Farm, Book’em Danno will break from the eight post in race twelve and is owned by Atlantic Six Racing LLC.

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