It may not be a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series “Win and You’re In" event, but make no mistake – the $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1) is so deep that every horse in the field could wind up in a Breeders’ Cup race at Del Mar on Nov. 1.
Let’s say this is one loaded field of eight 3-year-olds going 7 furlongs Saturday on Travers Day at Saratoga Race Course.
Patch Adams, Chancer McPatrick, and Smoken Wicked, all winners in their most recent starts, all at Saratoga, are quite familiar to horseplayers following racing at the Spa. All three will be popular with bettors.
Patch Adams, trained by Brad Cox, is the 3-1 morning-line favorite, Chancer McPatrick is 5-1, and Smoken Wicked is 6-1.
But there’s also Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert to contend with. Usually, it’s Baffert taking center stage when it’s one of racing’s biggest days, but this time, he is sending out a trio in the H. Allen Jerkens and sitting out the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1).
Baffert’s brigade is topped by the return of Barnes (9-2), an early 3-year-old sensation who did not qualify for the Kentucky Derby (G1). The colt named for Baffert’s longtime assistant Jimmy Barnes finished fifth in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 5 after winning the San Vicente Stakes (G2) and running second to Journalism in the San Felipe Stakes (G2). He’s fresh and ready to go again.
And so are Madaket Road (second in the Grade 1 Woody Stephens) and Midland Money (2-for-2). Madaket Road is 6-1; Midland Money is 8-1.
“I think this is their distance, and this is a big Grade 1. They’re all doing well. It’s an important race on an important day, so we’re looking forward to it,” said Baffert, a two-time Jerkens winner. “They have to bring their ‘A’ game, and it’s going to be a tough race with good horses in there, but they’re doing very well.”
The speedy Barnes, who will be ridden by Jose Ortiz, worked 4 furlongs in 48.00 at Del Mar on Aug. 15.
“He took a step back and sort of lost form, so we freshened him up. He’s been working really well and I’m happy with him. He’s training well, and he looks great,” said Baffert.
Madaket Road has hit the board in four graded stakes, most recently a troubled second in the Woody Stephens after stumbling at the start. He will be fitted with blinkers for the race. John Velazquez has the call.
Midland Money won his career debut, but was off more than a year before returning with a front-running win by 3¼ lengths in a 6-furlong allowance race at the Spa on Aug. 3.
“I sent him out there to win a race. He ran really well,” said Baffert. “He had a lot of potential, but then he had a setback. He’s been doing well, and he was really ready to run – ready to go a mile, basically. The way he ran, if he can repeat that race, that puts him right in the hunt.”
Woody Stephens winner Patch Adams and Verifire (3-for-3) are a formidable pair for Cox. Patch Adams has won two in a row with his stalking style, and Verifire, the 4-1 second choice, comes in off a win in the Maxfield Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 29.
Smoken Wicked, trained by Dallas Stewart, is looking for a breakthrough Grade 1 win for his resume of 13-5-3-1. He was second in the Maxfield but came through with a victory in the Amsterdam Stakes (G2) on July 25 at the Spa.
“It was just what we were looking for. He got into a good position, fought hard on the turn, and finished it off. It was a very nice effort,” Stewart said. “He can battle it out in the first part of it. He's not shy.”
Also in the lineup are deep closers Chancer McPatrick (5-1) and Captain Cook (12-1).
Chancer McPatrick won the 7-furlong Hopeful Stakes (G1) at the Spa and the 1-mile Champagne Stakes (G1) last year. He then ran sixth in the BC Juvenile (G1), and this year he’s 1-for-4, winning the Curlin Stakes on July 24.
Captain Cook, graded stakes placed and winner of the Withers Stakes, is 6-2-0-2 overall and makes his first start for trainer Todd Pletcher. He was previously trained by Rick Dutrow, Jr.
The H. Allen Jerkens Memorial is race 10 of the 14-race blockbuster Travers Day card, with Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Sovereignty taking on four challengers in the 1 ¼-mile Travers.
There are three BC “Win and You’re In’’ races on the undercard: the $500,000 Personal Ensign Stakes (race 9), the Forego Stakes (race 12), and the Ballerina Handicap (race 11).
Post time for the H. Allen Jerkens is 4:22 p.m. ET
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