SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- The Travers Day undercard produced four automatic qualifers for races in the Breeders' Cup in two months.
In the hours leading up to American Pharoah's run in the $1.6 million Travers, Sheer Drama started off Saturday's stakes program with a well-timed stretch run and 1 1/4-length win over Got Lucky in the $750,000 Personal Ensign for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.
Ridden by Joe Bravo, Sheer Drama stalked leaders Stopchargingmaria and Untapable and forged her way to the front for the victory.
The 5-year-old mare won for the third time in seven starts with four second-place finishes. Sheer Drama, who returned $8.80 for a $2 win bet, qualified for the Breeders' Cup Distaff. Winning time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:49.05.
With morning-line favorite La Verdad scratched, Unbridled Forever won the $500,000 Ballerina by one length over Kiss to Remember for a spot in the field for the BC Filly & Mare Sprint. The 4-year-old filly ridden by John Velazquez is 2 for 2 this year. She returned ($8.20).
Runhappy ($24.60), with Edgar Prado aboard, pulled an upset at 11-1 odds in the $500,000 King's Bishop, defeating Limousine Liberal four lengths. Favorite Holy Boss was third.
Private Zone easily won the $700,000 Forego by 3 3/4 lengths over The Big Beast, and returned $5.20 as the 8-5 favorite. Private Zone earns a place in the BC Sprint.
Flintshire, in his first start in the U.S. this year, swept into the lead around the turn and won the $1 million Sword Dancer by 2 1/2 lengths over Red Rifle to earn a spot in the BC Turf.
Sports on 08/30/2015