The racing action at Saratoga Race Course returns on Wednesday afternoon where it is the start of Travers Week. The biggest week on the summer calendar in New York kicks off with an eight-race card that is headlined by the $200k Bolton Landing for 2YO fillies sprinting over the sod, The feature goes as Race 7 with post time set for 4:40 PM local time. Here the horses I am most interested in to start Travers Week.


Race 4:
This MSW for fillies and mares at 5.5-furlongs over the grass is a competitive eight-horse field that kicks off the late Pick 5. Morning line favorites #4 Fletch’s Rockette and #1 Vajra both are capable, but have limited upside at this point having competed four times already without a win. On the other hand, #2 Saint Tropez is more of a wild card. The daughter of More Than Ready makes just her second lifetime start after a speed and fade effort going two-turns over the grass on the Fourth of July. Trainer Phil Antonacci knows how to spot his runners evidenced by his 30% win rate with a 44-start sample size in 2026. This gal is bred more for two-turns, but could end up working out a dream trip on the cutback with Ricardo Santana Jr. back aboard. Her price should be worth the gamble.

Play: #2 Saint Tropez (9-2 ML)
Picks: 2-1-8


Race 5:
This state-bred MSW event over the Inner Turf certainly goes through 5-2-ML favorite #9 Al Mowashaah. The Tiz the Law colt moved forward in his first start going long over the lawn after tiring late in a dirt sprint to kick off his career. His effort was encouraging last out in the sense he was able to relax and come with a solid run, but he was from flying home when caught from behind by a first-time starter. Therefore, backing him at a short price is less than ideal. I will try to beat him with #1 House of War. The War Dancer colt debuts for trainer Jorge Abreu after a long series of local drills, including a few on the turf. He draws favorably for a barn that has not sent out a 2YO firster going long on the grass yet this summer at Saratoga, but is 2 for 6 with the runners they have sent out at the Spa over the last five years. Hopefully, he is ready to fire fresh!

Play: #1 House of War (8-1 ML)
Picks: 1-9-7


Race 7: Bolton Landing
The feature is a fun one for juvenile fillies traveling 5.5-furlongs over the sod where a case could be made for many. #3 Side Quest was made the understandable 5-2-ML favorite by oddsmaker David Aragona after stalking in the clear off a longshot speed horse early and pulling away for fun to break her maiden on July 23. A move forward makes her tough to beat, but she is likely to get a much different voyage than she got from her outside draw against lesser last month. I will try to beat her with #6 Allura. The Mind Control filly debuted on July 3 where she showed early speed from the gate and held safe at odds of 12-1. Trainer Kelsey Danner has given her time since the win and now draws favorably to the outside and attracts Flavien Prat. Unless she outbreaks the field, I expect Prat to try to stalk from the outside with this gal in her second lifetime start. Hopefully she is in with a shot late and shows the grit she did to spring the upset over this surface on debut. The price should be fair.

Play: #6 Allura (8-1 ML)
Picks: 6-2-3