Travers Day, Far From the Maddening Crowds

Out on Eastern Long Island today, and with the Head Chef off for her Wellness in the Schools event today, I'll be (mostly) left to my own devices around the pool at her stepdad's house in Sag Harbor.  The wireless works, my NYRA Rewards account still swollen from prior successes at the meeting.  Man, I am ready to go!

Will be here all day and will be on Twitter if you possibly care.  Just some real quick thoughts on a few races, with the 1st race just over an hour away as I write this (can do without 11:35 post times!), and I'm still plodding through the card.

In the 1st, Dehere of the Cat (5-1) has improved last two with blinkers on.  Closing effort two back at a mile indicates he could work out a similar trip cutting back in distance in a race which figures to have some lively pace up front.

In the 5th, Rigby (5-1) has shown nice improvement on fast tracks since a layoff after being claimed by Asmussen at the Big A in Feb.  Beat cheaper absolutely for fun last out after sitting a bit off the pace, has worked solidly since and Ramon sticks.

In the 8th, Devon Rock (5-1) returns to the grass, on which he's racked up some nice figs in his last two such efforts, at Calder.  Competed against some really sharp horses there, and goes first out for Catalano.  Kanagaro (6-1) rarely wins but is a good bet to get a minor reward and liven up the exotics at a fair price.

In the Travers, Neck'n'Neck (9-2) proved in the Jim Dandy that he's not just a horse for the Churchill Downs course.  Had little chance in the slop against a loose-on-the-lead Alpha, especially with the ground loss he suffered on the turns.    Have no idea what the pace is going to look like here.  Really not a confirmed speedball in the field, Alpha included; think that one prefers to stalk but was able to set a dawdling pace in the Dandy.  Will stand against, assuming he can't do that again.

Good luck, and have a fantastic Travers day everyone