PP's for the King's Bishop and the Travers Stakes

The King's Bishop - http://www.brisnet.com/bris_link/pdfs/toddpletcher_162382.pdf

The Travers Stakes - http://www.brisnet.com/bris_link/pdfs/toddpletcher_162383.pdf

The King's Bishop is a 7f sprint that is always a great race and it seems like a lot of successful sires come out of this race. Don't miss it!

Darley Stable’s Justenuffhumor remains undefeated on the season as he collared pacesetter Cowboy Cal inside the sixteenth-pole and posted a half–length victory in the $200,000 Bernard Baruch Handicap (gr. IIT) (VIDEO) Aug. 28 on the Saratoga turf.

It was the sixth win in as many starts in 2009 for Justenuffhumor, who scored earlier this month at the Spa in his stakes debut—the Fourstardave Handicap (gr. IIT). The 4-year-old son of Distorted Humor gave trainer Kiaran McLaughlin his third consecutive win in the Bernard Baruch. McLaughlin won the previous two runnings of the nine-furlong event with Shakis, who died tragically last November.

Cowboy Cal was eager to get to the front in the Baruch, just as he was when setting the pace and finishing third in the Fourstardave. Under the handling of John Velazquez, the 4-year-old Giant's Causeway colt battled Seaspeak through an opening quarter-mile in :23.23, then continued the hot pace while getting a half-mile in :46.94 and three-quarters in 1:11.35. Those two were well clear of the field through the backstretch, with Kutais, Mambo Meister and Sette E Mezzo racing in the next group.

Cowboy Cal still led when they turned for home and enjoyed a seemingly comfortable two–length lead with a furlong remaining. But Justenuffhumor, who raced near the back of the pack early on, launched his rally midway on the turn, was swung wide by Alan Garcia for his stretch move, and began eating up ground with his huge strides. The bay colt finally corralled Cowboy Cal inside the sixteenth-pole on his way to another win.

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/52326/justenuffhumor-wins-6th-straight-in-baruch-h

I listened to the call on the radio today. A tough beat for Cowboy Cal.

I'll take Summer Bird for my Travers pick - a Summer Bird, Quality Road, Kensei tri.

Moss says it's bad from a media perspective that Rachel Alexandra skipped the Travers. Well, Randy, maybe if ESPN didn't cut its racing coverage you'd actually generate some excitement through the year. And it's not the "conservative" choice to not run Mine That Bird; he's recovering from an injury so that was the ONLY choice to make - not run him. And Bailey, yeah it's real cakewalk for Rachel Alexandra to run against older males. That must be why so many three-year-old fillies run against older males in Grade I classic races. *roll eyes*

Looks like Indian Blessing is not the same runner this year. Bummer.

Music Note ran a helluva a race.

Music Note looked great. I was rooting for IB, though - love it when she's on her game.

King's Bishop should be a great race ... I really like Munnings but don't overlook Big Drama - he ran a good one last out. Remember Lost in the Fog's King's Bishop win?

I miss that horse so badly.

The King's Bishop is always such a great race and today was no different. Wow.

and had a ton of guts on the track. Great memories he made.

That was a great King's Bishop today. Too bad Vineyard Haven came down but it was totally the right call after Alan Garcia's boneheaded ride. VH and Capt. Candyman Can ran fantastic. Good for Ian Wilkes!

about that pinhead Garcia. It was an exciting stretch drive today. I just hate to see a race like that get decided by the judges.

Woo hoo!

he was eating that slop up. Great race!

He's got some nice runners going. Summer Bird wins it just like his papa did! QR didn't look very good out there; he'll be a great horse if they take their time with him and don't rush him. And I hope this ends the big smack talk I've heard about Rachel ducking the supposed best, considering she just spanked Summer Bird (in the slop) a few weeks ago. What a great day of racing!

It was a great day of racing and I hate to admit that little plodder Birdstone is turning into a good sire. He's got some real runners out there right now.

I love watching sprints anyway, but that was one of the most exciting races I've ever watched. Too bad for VH, but I'm never sorry to see the Sheiks lose, and that idiot jock should have put away his whip, imho - the horse was giving his all, sure looked like. And I detest the euphimism "urging" so beloved by racing writers - why don't they say what it is - whipping? I'd have liked to see the beautiful Big Drama do better, but CCC ran an exciting race.

I've always thought the King's Bishop was the best race of Travers Day. They always have such good horses entered.