Chad Brown is telling everyone Sea Strike has a “big chance” in Saturday’s Grade 1 Travers Stakes, and after that ridiculous performance in the Curlin, who can blame him? We’re talking about a horse who just blasted the field by 8 ¼ lengths in the $150,000 Curlin Stakes, dropping a 102 Beyer speed figure that’s higher than any other horse running in the $1.25 million Travers.
The Hype Is Real, And Brown Isn’t Hiding It
Seriously, a 102 Beyer? That’s not just fast, that’s *elite*, and Brown himself said, “He won the Curlin galloping.” Imagine that. He basically coasted to an 8 ¼-length victory and his trainer thinks there’s *still* more in the tank. That’s wild. Sea Strike is sitting at 5-1 on the morning line, right behind the Kentucky Derby and Belmont champ Golden Tempo at 5-2, and Jim Dandy winner Renegade at 3-1. But Brown isn’t backing down. He’s seeing “fast numbers” and “training incredibly well,” and he’s not shy about saying it. Jockey Flavian Prat gets the ride again from post No. 7. This isn’t just a race, it’s a statement, especially after that Curlin run.
Experience? “Bounce?” Brown Has Answers
Okay, so what are the doubters whispering? Two things: The dreaded “bounce” after a huge performance, and Sea Strike’s total lack of experience. He’s only making his fourth lifetime start here! Since 1976, no Travers winner has had so few starts. That’s a huge stat, right? Brown acknowledges it, saying Sea Strike “doesn’t have the experience of the other horses” and he “always worries” about the bounce with a fast number horse lacking foundation. But he’s not seeing any signs of a drop-off. He says Sea Strike is training so well, he’s “not giving me any indication that he’s going to react off that race.” Plus, Brown pointed to Arrogate, who won the Midsummer Derby in his fifth start in 2016, setting a track record. Sea Strike is “fresh,” “in his best form,” and has a 1 1/8-mile win going over the surface. The “inconveniencing minor setbacks” that pushed his debut to April are clearly behind him. And remember that June 6 allowance race where he finished fifth? Brown said he “didn’t like the dirt in his face.” But in the Curlin, he got a “clean face” and was “forward.” If Prat can get that same position from post seven, the experience factor might just be a non-issue.
This isn’t just another race for Brown. This is his hometown race, and he’s 0 for 19 in the Travers. He’s won the Curlin seven times, sure, but his previous five Curlin winners never cracked the top six in the Travers. V.E. Day from 2014 is the only horse to pull off the Curlin-Travers double. Can Sea Strike be the one to break Brown’s Travers drought? With everything Brown is seeing, and with Sea Strike’s raw talent and improving form, Saturday’s 1 ¼-mile Travers Stakes is shaping up to be absolutely unmissable. It’s go time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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