Jim Dandy Winner Stay Thirsty Wins 2011 Travers Stakes at Saratoga

While Repole’s big horse Uncle Mo made a splash in his return to racing today in the G1 King’s Bishop where he finished second, Repole’s forgotten colt, Stay Thirsty made his way to the winner’s circle, and Eclipse talks, in the biggest race of the day.

Jim Dandy winner and Belmont runner-up Stay Thirsty pushed his way into the three-year-old Eclipse talks after a win in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on August 27. Drawing a field that included Triple Crown jewel winners Shackleford and Ruler on Ice, and Haskell winner Coil, in addition to Stay Thirsty, the Travers was determined to be perhaps the biggest race in the second half of this year's three-year-old season with a wide open group of potential Eclipse winners running.

But out of the “big” horses running, only Stay Thirsty, who went off as the morning line favorite, finished as expected. Ruler On Ice finished the best of the rest in fourth.

Stay Thirsty didn’t have the best start to the year, winning an unimpressive Gotham Stakes earlier in the year before finishing mid-pack in the Derby. But when the Triple Crown made its way to Belmont for the final jewel of the series, the Repole camp was ready. “Thirsty” didn’t win the race, but he did show a major improvement on form, finishing second.

In a year of disappointments on the Eclipse front, the Bernardini son has definitely thrown his hat into the ring in a big way at the Spa. He looks to keep on rolling towards the Breeder’s Cup with the Jockey Club Gold Cup looking to be his next start, thoroughbredtimes.com reported.

Stay Thirsty improved his record to four wins in 10 starts with his Travers win. Rattlesnake Bridge and JW Blue finished second and third respectively.