Arcangelo Wins, Disarm Surprises By Placing, And Tapit Trice Shows

Clawing his way back up to becoming the favorite at post time, Forte, slotted into and through the early running but did not factor in the race in which he was favored. Although the phenom Forte was long touted to take the 2023 Travers, a brilliant ride by John Rodriguez allowed Belmont Stakes winner — and second favorite — Arcangelo to mop up the field.

Disarm, who had been really impressive in his improvement in training over the last weeks, placed well and truly, despite going off at 12-1, next-to-lowest of the low men on the totem pole of probability to take the race.

Ironically holding to that form, Tapit Trice, Pletcher trained but nevertheless, at 13-1, the longest of longshots of the field of seven as the gates swung open, managed to show.

Living up to its billing as the track with the ability to thwart champion race horses, Saratoga and this year’s very tough Travers field did not allow the Kentucky Derby winner Mage, the Preakness winner National Treasure, nor the race’s own favorite Forte, to snake into the top three. That, itself, cements the track’s legend.

The money at Saratoga hemmed and hawed all afternoon between Forte and Archangelo as the favorites. In the early betting, Forte was the narrow favorite, replaced late in the afternoon by Arcangelo, who then slid back down to co-favorite and then second-favorite by post time. Clawing his way back up to becoming the favorite at post time, Forte, slotted into and through the early running but did not factor in the race.