Led by Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Thorpedo Anna and Belmont Stakes (G1) and Haskell Stakes (G1) winner Dornoch, Kentucky-breds comprise the entire field for the 155th running of the historic Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga on Saturday, Aug. 24. The $1.25 million, 10-furlong fixture has also attracted Florida Derby (G1) winner and Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Fierceness, as well as Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner and Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Sierra Leone.
Thorpedo Anna
Among the most compelling storylines in the Travers this year belongs to Thorpedo Anna. She will be only the fifth filly to contest a Travers since 1962. A win would make her just the eighth filly to capture a Travers, and the first to do so since Lady Rotha in 1915. Thorpedo Anna has become a fan favorite for trainer Kenny McPeek.
“I enjoy sharing her,” said McPeek. “I think access to good horses is what this is all about. People love seeing her and she’s had a lot of visitors.”
Owned by Nader Alaali, Mark Edwards, Judy Hicks, and Magdalena Racing, Thorpedo Anna is a winner in six of seven lifetime starts. In addition to winning the Kentucky Oaks, Thorpedo Anna also annexed the Acorn Stakes (G1) and the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1). She is the most high-profile Travers candidate McPeek has led over. McPeek saddled the 2012 Travers winner Golden Ticket who dead-heated with Alpha.
“I don’t know that I’ve had a horse that was one of the lower betting choices before,” said McPeek. “I don’t think too much about it, I think she’s perfectly capable and she’s doing super. We’ll let her do the talking Saturday.”
Dornoch
Dornoch looks to join Point Given as the only horses to have won the Belmont Stakes, Haskell, and Travers. Trainer Danny Gargan is thrilled to have one of the top sophomores this season.
“It’s hard to win three Grade 1s in a row, and it’s a really tough race,” said Gargan. “I thought this year’s colts were really strong. The filly is special, and she’s as good an anybody. Sierra Leone is as good as any horse in ten years, it’s just unfortunate he’s found a year where there’s a lot of horses who are good. And Fierceness, if he shows up, he’s spectacular. If he shows up, we’re all in trouble.
“If he (Dornoch) can win this race, it would be a big deal,” Gargan added. “We just want him to have as big of a resume as he can get before he retires.”
Owned by West Paces Racing, R.A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding, Two Eight Racing, and Pine Racing Stables, Dornoch is a full brother to Mage, winner of last year’s Kentucky Derby (G1). Bred in Kentucky by Grandview Equine, Dornoch was a $325,000 Keeneland September Sale graduate.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone, trained by Chad Brown for owners Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Westerberg, Rocket Ship Racing, and Peter Brant, is a leading Travers contender. The son of Gun Runner was a $2.3 million purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Sale. He finished second, just a nose behind Mystik Dan in the Kentucky Derby.
“I’ve felt good every time I’ve run him,” said Brown. “With his running style, he’ll have to work out a trip. He’s consistently getting faster with his numbers. It seems he runs into a horse on their best day every time, but that’s horse racing. Often times, it’s been his best number, too. These are high-level races. He’s just going to have to come with another career number and race and effort and hopefully work a trip out.
“He’s been rock solid,” Brown added. “It takes a very special horse to endure all the traveling, all the workouts and the racing. He’s a very special horse and some might look at it as he comes up short a lot. I look at it as he’s consistent and he always shows up. He’s a nose and a head away from a couple big wins and nearly being undefeated. I think he’s a horse that always shows up. Sometimes I’m disappointed with the result. I’m never disappointed with this horse’s effort.”
Fierceness
The Travers field also includes the reigning Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Fierceness, who is fresh off a one-length win over Sierra Leone in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2). Trained by Todd Pletcher for owner and breeder Repole Stable, Fierceness will be ridden by regular pilot John Velazquez.
“His appetite has been great. He looks good,” said Pletcher. “it’s a high-quality field as you’d expect. It adds some intrigue with the filly. It seems extra special, so it is an exciting race.”