A closer look at today’s Travers Stakes from Saratoga Race Course in New York: 

11th Race; Post Time: 5:44 p.m.

Purse: $1.25 Million (1 1/4 miles)

NBC-TV; HINSDALE OTB

1. (30-1) TRIGGER WARNING (12-4-1-2; $257,778)

Mike Rone/Irwin Rosendo

(30-1) More likely to finish last than first, but check the board before tossing him. The bulk of the colt’s racing’s been in the Heartland where he was third in the Ohio Derby at 86-1 and second by a head in the Indiana Derby at 6-1. Likely to be this year’s Anaximondros, the 131-1 shot that finished last in the ’17 Travers.

2. (5-1) WONDER GADOT (13-5-4-3; $1,381,261) 

Mark Casse/Irad Ortiz Jr. 

Seeks to become first filly to win the Mid-Summer Classic since Lady Rotha in 1915 (and that was a DQ). The No. 2 post in dirt races a mile or longer has 13 wins (25 percent). Filly cost $600,000 as a yearling but can earn $670K with a win. She won at the distance her last start and had a best-of-67 workout last  week. Trainer has two wins in 46 races this meet.

3. (4-1) GRONKOWSKI (7-4-2; $415,644)

Joel Rosario/Chad Brown

Rosario seeks the East/West sweep after winning last week’s Pacific Classic at Del Mar aboard Accelerate. Colt’s workouts at the Spa have been outstanding. Was made the morning line second choice after his runner-up finish to Triple Crown winner Justify in the Belmont. Brown is the meet’s leading trainer.

4. (12-1) BRAVASO (12-3-3-1; $981,528) 

D. Wayne Lukas/Luis Saez

Runner-up finish in last month’s Haskell was nine lengths ahead of the show horse. Saratoga debut was a year ago when eighth at 41-1. He’s the only horse beside Justify was dropped long odds. He was dropped from the $83K purse to $51K a month later and won at 5/2 odds. Signature win was the Risen Star at the Fairgrounds in February but is winless in last five.

5. (10-1) VINO ROSSO (8-3-0-2; $792,500)

Todd Pletcher/John Velazquez

Closed from ten lengths back to challenge for place money in the Jim Dandy as the 8/5 favorite on July 28. Chart-writer noted “good energy.” Brooklyn-born owner Mike Repole has four wins here this summer, more than any other owner with a horse in today’s Travers.

6. (30-1) MEISTERMIND (6-1-0-1; $44,431)

Steve Asmussen/Miguel Franco

See the career earnings? See the lone win? How is this horse in the field? One statistic that bodes well is that the six post has accounted for 29 percent of the winners around two turns on the dirt. 

7. (15-1) KING ZACHARY (7-3-0-2; $197,650)

Dale Romans/Robbie Albarado

A $550,000 yearling purchase, owners must want a big payday from a longshot with no shot. Vino Rosso beat him by 13 lengths at the Wood Memorial.

8. (12-1) MENDELSSOHN (9-4-1-1; $1,997,137)

Aidan O’Brien/Ryan Moore

Won the UAE Derby in Dubai with a 106 Beyer, came to the Kentucky Derby and was sent off at 7-1 odds and finished last. Last out was a fading third at 7-5 in the Dwyer Stakes at Bemont on July 7.

9.  (2-1) GOOD MAGIC (8-3-3-1; $2,945,000)

Chad Brown/Jose Ortiz

Colt’s owners kept this $1 million yearling purchase out of the Belmont Stakes to help their other horse Justify win the Triple Crown. His first race off the layoff was a three-length score in the Haskell at Monmouth. His six posted workout times indicate he’s in top form. If anything hinders him it’ll be the outside post.

10. (8-1) TENFOLD (6-3-0-1; 679,200)

Steve Asmussen/Ricardo Santana Jr. 

Asmussen’s barn has cooled off since the hot start that included Tenfold’s 3/4-length win in the Jim Dandy at 8/5 on July 28. The six career starts ties him with longshot Meistermind for fewest in the field, but he’s the only colt with a win over the course.

11. (8-1) CATHOLIC BOY (8-5-1-0; $1,172,000) 

Jonathon Thomas/JJ Castellano

Castellano has a record five Travers wins, including four of the last eight, and is the meet’s second leading rider. The Beyer speed figures are trending back upward (96-99) after a dull (80) outing in the Florida Derby. Worked a bullet best-of-51 three weeks ago and owns the best last-race Beyer in the field.

Sources: Daily Racing Form, Equibase, America’s Best Racing, Paulick Report

THE PICKS

CHIP AINSWORTH: GOOD MAGIC

JAY BUTYNSKI: GRONKOWSKI

JEFF LAJOIE: CATHOLIC BOY

MARK DURANT: VINO ROSSO

JOHN DOBRYDNIO: VINO ROSSO