August 21, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
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If not for a tight turnaround between the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1), Sovereignty may very well have become the first Triple Crown winner since Justify in 2018.
The uber-talented 3-year-old is a marvel between the rails, and certainly deserving of 2-5 top dog status ahead of Saturday’s $1.25 million Travers (G1) at Saratoga, but there are four other horses competing too.
Let’s, for the sake of this exercise, turn the spotlight away from Sovereignty and onto Magnitude – a powerful colt coming off consecutive wins the Risen Star (G2) and Iowa Derby.
While the Steve Asmussen trainee needs a career-defining effort to usurp the titan lining up three posts away, Magnitude, at 2-1, remains a sneaky threat to shake up the Travers’ pecking order.
I Call a Rematch
When the best of the best get a second chance, they don’t miss.
On Saturday at Saratoga, reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna gets a second shot at the trio responsible for her only defeat this season, when they meet again in the $500,000 Personal Ensign (G1).
The group in question – Raging Sea (first), Randomized (third), and Dorth Vader (fourth) – outdueled their $5 million contemporary, who finished last in May’s La Troienne (G1).
The unexpected setback proved short-live for Thorpedo Anna, as the Ken McPeek charge rebounded with a textbook three-length victory next time out (Grade 2 Fleur de Lis).
Rested and motivated, Thorpedo Anna (6-5), leads the charge with Randomized (4-1), Raging Sea (5-1), and Dorth Vader (6-1) ready to play spoiler once more.
En Pointe
From one Ballerina to another, Scylla will look to channel her inner Eve Macarro, albeit in a significantly less aggressive form, when she returns to Saratoga this Saturday to avenge a runner-up finish in last year’s $500,000 Ballerina (G1).
A sluggish start cost the 5-year-old mare a shot at her first Grade 1 triumph in 2024’s edition of the seven-furlong sprint, resulting in a distant second (3 ¼-lengths behind).
The story hasn’t gotten much brighter since, as Scylla is 0-for-3 this season, and hasn’t found the winner’s circle since last June’s Fleur de Lis (G2).
That said, the Bill Mott trainee has been in the mix each time, landing no lower than fourth during the six-race drought.
As the early 5-2 choice this time around, Scylla hopes for a fresh spin.
Need for Speed
After resetting Del Mar’s 5 ½-furlong track record in his professional debut – a mark of 1:01.86 that still stands today – Speed Boat Beach collected his first graded stakes (Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille) in his second start at the southern California oval.
Returning for round three Saturday, the Del Mar marvel has his sights set on the $250,000 Pat O’Brien (G2).
It’s been an interesting ride for Speed Boat Beach, who, after missing all of 2024, delivered an unforgettable effort in his first appearance of 2025 (10th in the St. Matthews Overnight Stakes on May 1).
Any rust seems to have been shaken off, however, as the multiple graded stakes winner opens as the Pat O’Brien’s narrow 5-2 choice.
No Tomfoolery
Take Charge Tom headlines the group of 11 hopefuls vying for the top spot in the 96th renewal of the $200,000 Canadian Derby (G3) at Century Mile in Edmonton, Alberta.
Pacing the way early at 8-5, the 3-year-old Robertino Diodoro charge enters off a career-worst seventh place finish in the Manitoba Derby at Assiniboia on August 4.
Despite the recent setback, Take Charge Tom has performed admirably across seven prior starts – a stretch in which he was victorious five times, four of which came in stakes events.
Bred and owned by Randy Howg, the sophomore gelding has collected nearly $248,000 in prize money.
Take Charge Tom will slot into post three on Saturday.