In the days leading up to the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, the team at usracing.com is publishing profiles of the 3-year-olds in the field.
What to make of Bracket Breaker’s chances in the 1 ¼-mile Travers?
Not much from this seat. He’s 0-for-3 in graded stakes, hasn’t won beyond 1 1/16 miles and might be a best bet to finish last.
He’s been beaten by a combined 31 lengths in four races against Journalism, Sovereignty, Gosger and Goal Oriented. He may have early speed and could be near the lead with Magnitude, but that’s about it.
His one Grade 1 attempt came in the Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park on July 19 when he finished fourth, eight lengths behind Journalism.
Prior to that loss, though, the Vekoma colt pressured the pace and pulled away for a seven-length win in the slop in the listed Pegasus Stakes at 1 1/16 miles.
As for the Haskell, trainer Victoria Oliver said: “I think he would’ve been a lot closer fourth if he didn’t have a horse run with him early. I don’t know if he’ll get the mile and a quarter distance, but we are going to find out on Saturday. He’s coming into the race very good, worked well and came out of his work well.”
No bet.
Post position: 2
Odds: 20-1
Jockey: Luis Saez
Trainer: Victoria Oliver
Owner: BBN Racing
Career record: 8-2-1-1
Career earnings: $286,318
Last race: Haskell Stakes (G1), July 19, 4th
Top Equibase speed figure: 101
Pedigree: Vekoma-Spring Dance, by Dance With Ravens
Color: Bay
Running style: Frontrunner
Notes: Bracket Breaker worked 4 furlongs in 47.80 on Aug. 15 at Keeneland ... Oliver seeks her first Travers victory; Saez goes for his third – he won aboard Will Take Charge in 2013 and Essential Quality 2021.
Richard Rosenblatt is an award-winning journalist and former Associated Press Horse Racing Editor. Currently, he serves as the news editor at US Racing, overseeing exclusive content from contributors worldwide.
