Travers Stakes Odds, Picks & Predictions – Rich Strike, Epicenter & Early Voting Clash

• The $1.25 million Grade 1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga has a star-studded field Saturday afternoon
• Epicenter is the deserving favorite but Rich Strike, Early Voting, Cyberknife, Zandon and Artorius provide ample competition
• How do we find betting value in the Mid-Summer Derby?

Run since 1864, they call The Travers Stakes the “Mid-Summer Derby.” While it is often the biggest race for three-year-olds between the Triple Crown and Breeders Cup, this year’s field is particularly strong with many contenders in the Travers Stakes odds.

Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike makes his Saratoga debut Saturday facing Preakess winner Early Voting. Epicenter, who was the runner up in both races, and then dominated last month’s Jim Dandy Stakes at The Spa is the favorite. Also in the mix are Zandon, who was third in the Derby and second in the Jim Dandy. So too is Haskell winner Cyberknife, and late maturing Artorius.

Let’s examine the field, consider their credentials, and see where we can find betting value in the Travers Stakes odds.

2022 Travers Stakes Odds

Odds as of August 26

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The Travers is a mile-and-a-quarter challenge over the dirt surface at Saratoga, sometimes known as “The Graveyard of Favorites,” for the number of stars who have lost at The Spa. Temperatures Saturday are expected to be in the 70’s with very little chance of rain. The race will be televised by Fox with post time slated for 5:44 pm ET.

Because there are a bunch of reasonable contenders, some at decent prices, understanding horse racing bet types is important. There are a lot of ways to play The Travers, and some could be pretty profitable.

Epicenter Usually Runs Well as Favorite

When Epicenter won the Louisiana Derby as the favorite, that made him the Run for the Roses chalk. He finished second, but was still the favorite at the Preakness. Again he was the runner-up. As the bettor’s top choice in the Jim Dandy, Epicenter was awesome.

Consistent and classy, he beat Zandon and Early Voting fairly easily last month. Epicenter is always in the mix and is the most likely winner on Saturday. However, his odds indicate he has nearly a 42% shot of winning. That means there is only betting value if he wins this roughly 45% of the time. That may be reasonable, but do others carry more or less value?

Rich Strike and Early Voting Have Beaten Epicenter

Rich Strike was +8080 after drawing into the Kentucky Derby at the last minute. Breaking from post position 20 he was far back early, and rallied in a way that horse racing fans will never forget to win the roses.

Rich Strike benefited from the fastest start to a Derby in history. That said, he passed Zandon and Epicenter with relative ease. He was a well beaten sixth in the Belmont Stakes. Trainer Eric Reed did not feel he was given the freedom to run as he prefers that day.

Early Voting had the advantage of being fresh in the Preakness. While Epicenter had run two weeks earlier, Early Voting was coming off of a month and a half rest.

In the Jim Dandy, Early Voting tired down the stretch. Is a-mile-and-a-quarter too long? Could he be the only speed, and be loose in front? At +800, they are the highest odds of his career.

Cyberknife and Artorius in Great Form

Sometimes the winner of the Kentucky Derby is not the best three year old, it is the quickest developing horse in the group. The most mature horse often wins in Louisville. Cyberknife was 18th in the Run for the Roses, but his two races since then are dynamite.

Taiba looked like a winner down the stretch at the Haskell Stakes. Cyberknife had to wait for room, and impressively won despite altering his path. Beating Jack Christopher, who probably prefers shorter races but is nonetheless super, is strong too.

Artorius has run just three times, winning twice. He dominated against a lesser field late last month at Saratoga.

In addition to Early Voting and Zandon, Chad Brown trains Artorius. Though he didn’t debut until April, he has looked good recently, and has top rider Irad Oritz in the irons.

Travers Stakes Best Bet

If you toss out the Kentucky Derby, a race that Cyberknife had all sorts of issues during, his last four races are victories, and they are increasingly impressive. Trainer Brad Cox won the Travers last year with Essential Quality. The price suggests he needs to have about a 25% shot to make for a good bet. That is a reasonable bet in the Travers Stakes odds.

Pick: Cyberknife (+350)