Travers Stakes 2014 Tonalist; “Milestone” for Christophe Clement

Travers Stakes 2014 Tonalist; “Milestone” for Christophe Clement: The G1 $1.25 million Travers Stakes takes place on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The 1 ¼ dirt race for three-year-old contenders is exciting for fans, trainers, and owners alike. World famous trainer Christophe Clement sends in Tonalist and revealed why the 2014 Travers Stakes is a significant occasion for him and his team. (See Post Positions & Odds Below)

Christophe Clement, who trains 2014 Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist, told Lady and The Track that the 2014 Travers Stakes is special to him saying, “I’m very excited with Tonalist running in the Travers. He has trained very forwardly since the Jim Dandy. A milestone for us as we never had a runner in the Travers before.”

Of course Tonalist’s owner Robert Evans is equally excited for the colt’s participation in the 2014 Mid-Summer Derby. Christophe Clement commented, “The horse might be the best colt Mr. Evans has owned in the last 30 years so obviously it means a lot to him as well.”

Most recently, Tonalist finished second behind Centennial Farm’s Wicked Strong in the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes (watch replay) on July 26, 2014 at Saratoga. The 2014 Travers Stakes will be the fourth race that Tonalist and Wicked Strong go head-to-head, adding to the drama of the “Mid-Summer” Derby. The duo first met in an Allowance race at Gulfstream Park back in February of 2014 where Tonalist finished 2nd behind Constitution and Wicked Strong finished fourth.

Reports indicate that Tonalist has been training well with his final Travers preparation going five-furlongs in 1:01.88 at Saratoga on August 16th with exercise rider Alvaro Hernandez. Tonalist will team up with regular jockey Joel Rosario for the 2014 Travers Stakes. Rosario was atop Tonalist for the colt’s last three races.

In addition to the 145th running of the  Travers Stakes on Saturday, August 23, 2014, Saratoga also features the $500,000 Ballerina Stakes, the $250,000 Ballston Stakes, and the $500,000 Kettle One King’s Bishop Stakes.

Related Links:
Travers Day Events
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Travers Stakes Post Positions & Odds 2014
1 Commanding Curve 15-1
2 Bayern 2-1
3 Charge Now 15-1
4 V.E. Day 15-1
5 Viva Morjorca 20-1
6 Tonalist 3-1
7 Wicked Strong 7-2
8 Kid Cruz 12-1
9 Ulanbator 30-1
10 Mr. Speaker 10-1

Tonalist Travers Stakes Final Workout: