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The Personal Ensign
Travers weekend, with its abundance of Graded Stakes, always attracts the best horses in training and this year was no
exception. The Personal Ensign looked to be a battle between
Dancethruthedawn and Summer Colony. The two fillies had battled in The
Pimlico Breeders' Cup Distaff on Preakness Day. The stretch battle did not
materialize as Summer Colony romped to an easy victory
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Summer Colony wins with ease
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The King's Bishop Stakes
The great weather of Friday did not last into Travers Day
as a steady and hard rain made for miserable conditions for racers and
fans. Only 43,153 fans braved the harsh conditions, well off the 60,000
who were at last year's running. In The King's Bishop, a sprint for
three-year-olds, Edward Evans' Gygistar made it five wins in a row, coming
from off the pace to win by three in the slop. Gygistar was ridden to
victory by John Velazquez.
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Gygistar runs win streak to five
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The 133rd Travers Stakes
The oldest stakes for three-year-olds in the country,
The Mid-Summer Derby, felt more like a mid-October Derby. The driving
rain let up slightly by late afternoon, but the damage had already been
done. With Derby and Preakness winner War Emblem staying on the west coast
to run in the Pacific Classic the role of favorite fell on Jim Dandy
winner Medaglia d'Oro and Jerry Bailey. Repent, who had been out of action
since April, had been training smartly and looked to be a contender. At the
line the favorite was able to hold off the late closing Repent for an
exciting, sloppy finish to the Travers.
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Medaglia d'Oro and Bailey in Paddock
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Favorite Medaglia d'Oro holds off the hard charging
Repent
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The Ballerina Stakes
Another great field of fillies gathered for Sunday's featured
Ballerina Stakes including Honorable Miss winner Mandy's Gold, Raging
Fever and last year's winner of this race Shine Again. The nice weather
had returned and just before the race the track was upgraded to fast.
In one of the most exciting finishes of the weekend Shine Again
edged past Mandy's Gold and Raging Fever to gain a half length victory.
Regular rider Jean-Luc Samyn guided the Wild Again filly to victory for
Trainer Allen Jerkens and Owner Bohemia Stables.
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Mandy's Gold went for the early lead
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Shine Again closes to capture her second straight
Ballerina Stakes. An exciting finish!!
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