Travers Stakes Betting has Pyro as Favorite

It looks like Pyro 7-2 the winner of the Louisiana Derby and a Derby runner, will be the Travers Stakes betting favorite when the $1-million horse race takes place on Saturday at the Saratoga Race Course. Pyro and trainer Steve Asmussen will be greeted by Belmont Stakes winner Da’Tara 8-1, Macho Again 6-1 and 9 other horses filling out the field. Pyro will leave from the 11th post with jockey Shaun Bridgmohan and will not only try to win the Travers but also erase the loss to Macho Again in the Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on July 27th as the 3-2 betting favorite.

"We were disappointed he didn't win the Jim Dandy, but it was a good effort," Pyro trainer Steve Asmussen said. "When we lead him over, we're going to lead him over with confidence." Although Macho Again and trainer Dallas Stewart won the Jim Dandy, Travers Stakes betting odds have the 3-year-old colt as the 4th betting choice at 6-1 even with a little history on their side. The last three winners have been the winners of Saratoga's Jim Dandy Stakes. “He held off Pyro,” Stewart said, “and we know Pyro is a very good horse.” Macho was on the Triple Crown trail this year finishing second in the Preakness behind Big Brown and fifth in the Belmont behind Da'Tara, Denis of Cork, Anak Nakal and Ready's Ech.

Macho Again will try to reapeat his Jim Dandy performance in horse betting odds breaking from the fifth post with jockey Julien Leparoux on board. Travers Stakes odds has trainer Todd Pletcher and Harlem Rocker at 4-1. Rocker has four wins out of five career starts and is coming off a win at the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie in early July and will take off from the eighth post with jockey Eibar Coa. Henry Walton Stakes winner Mambo in Seattle 5-1, is coming off his third straight win and trainer Neil Howard looks to continue that run. Howard believes the son of Kingmambo could be the upset with jockey Robby Albarado leasing the way.

“There is life after the Triple Crown; he’s meant for this kind of thing. This is a very competitive race and it’s going to be a great Travers,” Howard said. The rest of the Travers betting field field will consist of; Tale of Ekati 20-1, Colonel John 8-1, Tizbig 30-1, Cool Coal Man 15-1, Amped 30-1, Harlem Rocker 4-1, Tres Borrachos 15-1 and Court Vision 12-1. 2008 Travers Stakes betting goes off with a post time of 5:45 pm EST and will be televised on ESPN. The Travers Stakes is the 11th race of 12 on the race card at Saratoga on Saturday August 23rd.