Just moments from the start of the 142nd running of the Travers Stakes it looks like Coil will go off as a 2-1 betting favorite. Coil, the Haskell champ, was 3-1 in the morning line.
Stay Thirsty, 5-2 favorite in the morning line, is currently 3-1. Shackleford, the Preakness champ, is 7-2. Ruler On Ice, winner of the Belmont Stakes, is 6-1. Raison D’Etat, a popular upset choice, is 10-1.
Post-time for the Midsummer Derby is 5:45 p.m. ET. The race is being shown live on NBC.
Hurricane Irene has not yet reached Saratoga Race Course with just minutes before post time, so the track appears to be dry.
If one of the favorites wins today’s race he would become an obvious favorite in the running for 3-year-old Horse of the Year honors. An upset victory by someone like Raison D’Etat would further muddy the Horse of the Year picture heeading into the Breadeers’ Cup.