The Saratoga Travers Day Late Graded Stakes Pick 5 (Races 9–13) is one of the richest and most challenging sequences of the year, loaded with Grade 1 races and wide-open betting opportunities. With Sovereignty standing tall as the Travers favorite in Race 13, the strategy is clear: single him and spread where chaos can strike. Below is a race-by-race analysis followed by two practical ticket options that balance saver coverage with big-score potential.
Race 9 – Personal Ensign Stakes (G1)
The sequence opens with the Personal Ensign, where Thorpedo Anna enters as the horse to beat. She’s won three of her four starts in 2025 and had a valid excuse when she lost. She doesn’t need the lead to win, and will likely press from just off the pace in a race loaded with speed. She’ll have to be careful to make her move at just the right time and have enough left to hold off the ralliers, especially Leslie’s Rose off her sharp Shuvee win at Saratoga. Raging Sea, who upset Thorpedo Anna earlier this year, seems to be off form, but don’t rule her out with a perfect trip. Thorpedo Anna remains the most likely winner, but spreading lightly with Leslie’s Rose, and maybe even Raging Sea, provides insurance.
Race 10 – H. Allen Jerkens Memorial (G1)
The Jerkens is a wide-open seven-furlong sprint for three-year-olds, and it may be the most chaotic race of the day. Patch Adams is the in-form horse after his Woody Stephens victory, but Verifire, still undefeated, is rapidly improving. Smoken Wicked dazzled in the Amsterdam at Saratoga, while Chancer McPatrick returns to sprinting after a solid route win. Baffert complicates matters further with Barnes, coming off a layoff, and Madaket Road, who could control the pace. With so many ways the race can unfold, this is a classic spread leg.
Race 11 – Ballerina Stakes (G1)
The Ballerina brings together a deep group of fillies and mares, and almost any of them could win. Hope Road ships in from California with the best speed figures and an ideal post, while Scylla, a classy but win-shy mare, always gives herself a chance. Claret Beret is on the rise, My Mane Squeeze is a proven Saratoga sprinter, and Zeitlos is a versatile closer who can pick up the pieces if the race falls apart. Halina’s Forte and Brightwork both add price appeal. With so much early speed signed on, expect an honest of not demanding pace and a chance for a big price to emerge.
Race 12 – Forego Stakes (G1)
The Forego sets up as a clash between Book’em Danno and Mullikin, the two leading older sprinters in the country. Book’em Danno has been unbeatable at Saratoga this summer, but most of his best form has come at shorter trips. Mullikin, last year’s Forego winner, has been second to Book’em in two shorter races this meet and now gets his preferred seven-furlong distance. Bishops Bay adds intrigue as a Cox runner cutting back from route wins, while Crazy Mason, winner of the Carter at this distance, is the longshot with upset potential if the pace heats up.
Race 13 – Travers Stakes (G1)
The sequence concludes with the Travers, and Sovereignty towers over the field. Already the Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner, he enters the Travers as the clear leader of the three-year-old crop. His tactical style makes him virtually bulletproof, whether sitting just off Magnitude’s speed or taking command himself.
Magnitude is talented and sharp after missing the spring classics. He will try to open up, set a slow pace, and hold off Sovereignty late. We have a feeling we haven’t seen the best of Sovereignty yet, and Magnitude will have to take his game to a whole new level to beat him. The rest of the field is playing for minor awards, making Sovereignty the logical single to close out the Pick 5.
Win or lose, every one of these races is worth watching if you’re planning on playing the Breeders’ Cup this year! Tickets below. Good luck!
Budget Ticket: 50-Cent Ticket $9.00
| Race 9 (Personal Ensign): | 7 Thorpedo Anna |
| Race 10 (Allen Jerkens): | 1 Patch Adams, 5 Verifire, 6 Smoken Wicked |
| Race 11 (Ballerina): | 5 Claret Beret, 7 Scylla, 9 Hope Road |
| Race 12 (Forego): | 4 Book’em Danno, 7 Mullikin |
| Race 13 (Travers): | 4 Sovereignty |
Budget Ticket Numbers: 7 / 1,5,6 / 5,7,9 / 4,7 / 4
Aggressive 50-Cent Ticket: $252.00
| Race 9 (Personal Ensign): | 3 Raging Sea, 6 Leslie’s Rose, 7 Thorpedo Anna |
| Race 10 (Allen Jerkens): | 1 Patch Adams, 3 Barnes, 4 Chancer McPatrick, 5 Verifire, 6 Smoken Wicked, 8 Madaket Road |
| Race 11 (Ballerina): | 2 Brightwork, 4 Halina’s Forte, 5 Claret Beret, 6 Zeitlos, 7 Scylla, 8 My Mane Squeeze, 9 Hope Road |
| Race 12 (Forego): | 2 Bishops Bay, 4 Book’em Danno, 6 Crazy Mason, 7 Mullikin |
| Race 13 (Travers): | 4 Sovereignty |
Aggressive Ticket Numbers: 3,6,7 / 1,3,4,5,6,8 / 2,4,5,6,7,8,9 / 2,4,6,7 / 4
