The 2022 G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Caravel stands out from the crowd in the G3 Troy Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday, with the mighty mare bidding to extend her winning streak to six against largely overmatched rivals, although G2 winner Nobals could give her a run for the money.
Troy Stakes
G3, $300,000, 5 1/2f turf, 4yo+, 3.17pm ET
There are plenty of stars in action at Saratoga this weekend, and one of the brightest bids to embellish her prolific record yet further in the Troy, with the morning-line compiler going heavy on the chalk.
Such short odds are merited, as this is not a deep contest and Caravel (3-5) is a bona fide top-notcher with a 15-for-23 record, a rolling five-streak and two G1 wins against colts, the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint over this distance at Keeneland and the 2023 Jaipur over six furlongs at Belmont Park last time out.
She was always in the front line there and in control close home, getting the money by three-quarters of a length with Thin White Duke (20-1) never sighted, finishing tenth.
On her two previous starts she led from the gate, stamping her authority, including in the 2023 G2 Shakertown at Keeneland when stakes debutant Mister Mmmm (20-1) was a faraway ninth. Although she will have company out there today she has a profound class edge in her favour, a two-for-three count over course and distance, and a weight concession from all bar one of her rivals.
Thin White Duke was third in this race 12 months ago and seems to save his best for this track, but he has lost his last six and looks to want an easier spot.
One guaranteed pace threat will be Nobals (7-2), who lost the plot at around this time last year but has rediscovered his zing, with a gate-to-wire victory over this distance in the 2023 G2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs followed by a simple task at Horseshoe Indianapolis, when he led throughout in a five-furlong stakes. He has the talent to put it up to Caravel and can take advantage if she misfires.
Cogburn (8-1) has been transformed on his last two starts, either by the switch to turf or the Texas air at Lone Star Park, where he rallied hard to win a five-furlong stakes in May and then did exactly the same in June. The standard is not high but he is on the crest of a wave and will be finishing off best of all.
Both Grooms All Bizness (8-1) and Ikigai (30-1) are coming off a pair of wins at Monmouth Park, with Grooms All Bizness looking a considerably stronger proposition after making his stakes breakthrough over five furlongs, rallying gamely to score in a fast time. There could be more on the way from him, but Ikigai has been winning allowances and, along with stakes debutant Remuda (10-1), needs a career-best just to get in the game.
Troy Stakes Odds
It is hard to look away from dual G1 winner CARAVEL as she has so much on her side – strong recent form, an affinity for the track and major class relief.
| Horse | Jockey | Horse Racing Odds by Jazzsports |
| Thin White Duke | John R. Velazquez | +2000 |
| Ikigai | Jorge A. Vargas, Jr. | +3000 |
| Cogburn | Ricardo Santana, Jr. | +800 |
| Caravel | Tyler Gaffalione | -167 |
| Grooms All Bizness | Dylan Davis | +800 |
| Mister Mmmmm | Luis Saez | +2000 |
| Nobals | E. T. Baird | +350 |
| Remuda | Flavien Prat | +1000 |
Come back for the latest 2023 Breeders’ Cup Odds. Check out the Breeders Cup Win and you’re in & Breeders Cup World Championships Races news!
Don’t forget to Sign-up and get up to a 10% horse rebate. Get the best horse betting Free Picks & promotions.
Follow us on Social Media for more Troy Stakes updates!