Finally, Epicenter has won a G1 stake after he rallied from the back to overtake front-runner Cyberknife to win the Runhappy Travers. The 153rd running of the Run Happy Travers took place at “The Spa” in perfect weather conditions following the poor ones that canceled Turf Racing on Friday. The race set its highest attendance mark following the 2015 Travers with a record attendance of 49,000 this year, 4000 more than 2021’s Travers Stakes. Here’s a look at how everyone did!
Travers Winner Epicenter
Coming into the Travers Epicenter led the field as the favorite with 7-5 odds in the program. However, he didn’t jump to an early lead as he did in his previous G1 attempts, which he lost, allowing TVG.com Haskell Winner Cyberknife to take the lead around the clubhouse turn. Cyberknife, one of the top horses in the Travers after his impressive victory over undefeated Jack Christopher in the Haskell Stakes, was the front runner for most of the race.
But he slowed down tremendously as he entered the final stretch making the pack rejoin him from his three-length lead. In the middle of that was Epicenter, who started his charge for victory, passing then second Zandon and then first place Cyberknife. Following his overtaking of Cyberknife, Epicenter railed on the outside to win by four lengths over second place Cyberknife.
Rich Strike
Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike improved following his 7th place finish at the Belmont Stakes, placing the board fourth. A finish on the board for Strike was ideal and an excellent sign to see what comes next from him this year. Strike may run once more before the Breeders Cup in November. The only question is where!
Zandon
Zandon did what Zandon does best, placing in third in a photo finish against Cyberknife. After watching him place in all of the previous races, I did not doubt that he wouldn’t finish in either second or third. However, it’ll be interesting to see what the team decides next for him as he still has zero Grade 1 Stakes wins.
Early Voting
Preakness Stakes Winner Early Voting performed under par in the Travers yesterday, finishing in dead last. What’s disappointing about his finish is how he improved significantly in his practice runs and workouts before entering the Travers. However, it wasn’t unexpected as he had a challenging run in the Jim Dandy Stakes.
Cyberknife
Cyberknife, the 2022 TVG.com Haskell Stakes Winner, did a great job getting out to the early lead. But he could not keep the same momentum as he fell short of Epicenter. A good finish by Cyberknife as he placed second; I have to give props to him there. I’d give him an A- for his performance as he took the early lead but couldn’t maintain his charge to win.
Artoruis
Artorious disappointed fans yesterday, failing to place on the board, but it was bound to happen. He was at 9-2 odds during the morning line, giving hope in some eyes. However, the Chad brown horse couldn’t keep up with the four he trailed before the final stretch, thus placing in seventh. I would’ve liked to see more from Artorious in the Travers as he definitely could’ve done more, judging from the odds he was given.
Gilded Age
Gilded Age came into the Travers at 30-1 odds with winning it. So you can’t give him a harsh review as he was the longest of the longshots there. The Bill Mont colt came in fifth, which I’d say is a good run by him. I didn’t expect much from him coming into the Traverse but to see him finish 5th over some prominent horses definitely is something to remember in his next race.
Aint Life Grand
Ain’t life Grand had a tough outing but was at 20-1 odds before the Travers. Finishing 7th in the race, there’s nothing to say about his run. Sure he wasn’t last and beat Preakness Winner Early Voting, but he could’ve done a tad bit better as he was in the back for most of the race. Nothing unexpected from him, just another expected finish by the Von Hemel trainee.
Final Thoughts on Travers Stakes
As the Travers ends, we celebrate the win by Epicenter, capturing his first G1 stakes win, as well as record-setting attendance. We don’t know quite yet if we are to see any of these horses race in any other races before Keenland in November for the Breeders Cup. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they enter just one more race at Belmont at the Big A or Del Mar before setting their sights on the Breeders Cup.
The next significant stakes race I could see one of these horses, if not more, partaking in is the G1 Woodward Stakes at Belmont Park on October 1st. However, they will have to watch out as Todd Pletcher’s trainee, Life is Good, is also planning on racing there. Regardless, almost all of these horses will race once more before the end of the 2022 season.
To bet use NYRABETS for all up-to-date odds.
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