SARATOGA SPRINGS — Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin’s 3-year-old colt Alpha, two-length winner of the Jim Dandy, is the 5-2 favorite in a field of 11 for Saturday’s $1 million Travers Stakes at the Old Spa. Ramon Dominguez will ride the son of 2006 Travers winner Bernardini from post 6 in the 143rd “Midsummer Derby.”
Alpha is owned by Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai’s Godolphin Racing, which won last Saturday’s Alabama with the 3-year-old filly Questing, also trained by McLaughlin. He could become the first trainer since Hall-of-Famer Carl Nafzger in 2007 to sweep the Alabama-Travers double.
FULL FIELD:
1. Speightscity 30-1
2. Five Sixteen 15-1
3. Golden Ticket 20-1
4. Stealcase 15-1
5. Street Life 5-1
6. Alpha 5-2
7. Atigun 12-1
8. Neck ‘n Neck 9-2
9. Liaison 8-1
10. Nonios 3-1
11. Fast Falcon 20-1