Magnitude Seeks Glory in the Travers Stakes Against the Mighty Sovereignty
- Turf Diario
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The son of Not This Time will try to spring the upset on Saturday at Saratoga, but will have to face the toughest rival of all
SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York (Special for Turf Diario).- Three years ago, Winchell Thoroughbreds and Steve Asmussen experienced an unforgettable afternoon when Epicenter (Not This Time) stamped his authority on the GI Travers S., delivering a performance that still echoes around Saratoga. This Saturday, the partnership will try again with another son of Not This Time, and the anticipation is as high as the challenge: Magnitude will line up against the formidable Sovereignty (Into Mischief), the undisputed leader of the division and the heavy 2-5 favorite.
“We’ve got a very good horse and a great opportunity,” said David Fiske, Winchell’s racing manager. “He missed the Kentucky Derby, so for us, this Travers is his Derby. Hopefully, he can do what he does best—win while putting up a huge number.”
That will be easier said than done. Sovereignty, representing Godolphin, arrives off a dominant three-length score in the GI Belmont S., contested over this same track and trip, where he earned a 109 Beyer—the top figure in the field. Magnitude, however, isn’t far behind. Back in February, when he ran away with the GII Risen Star S. at Fair Grounds by nearly 10 lengths, he posted a 108 Beyer, underlining the ability that lies within.
The road here, however, has been anything but straightforward. A small ankle chip forced him out of the Derby—ultimately won by Sovereignty—and prompted Asmussen to regroup. Magnitude didn’t reappear until July 5 in the Iowa Derby, where he returned in style: another gate-to-wire victory, another triple-digit Beyer (105), and, more importantly, confirmation that Saratoga was back in the crosshairs.
“We’ve been waiting for this since February,” Fiske continued. “After the Risen Star, we had everything set for the Derby, and then two days later we had to cancel all the reservations. The important thing is, he came back just as good, maybe better. We’ve always believed in him, and now he gets his chance to prove it against the very best.”
Though naturally a speed horse, Magnitude’s connections insist he’s not a “run-off.” His versatility, they argue, could prove crucial.
“He doesn’t need the lead to run his race, but his natural speed makes him the likely pacesetter,” Fiske said. “If someone wants to go with him, good luck. We’ve seen him run inside, outside, alongside other horses—nothing fazes him. But in a short field like this, if they let him get comfortable up front, he’ll be very tough to catch.”
Breaking from the rail with Ben Curtis aboard and listed at 2-1 on the morning line, Magnitude will have the perfect stage to unleash his speed. Waiting for him, though, will be Sovereignty—battle-tested, relentless, and with a closing kick no one has yet been able to blunt.
“To be the champ, you’ve got to beat the champ,” Fiske admitted. “Sovereignty is the natural leader for the Eclipse Award right now. We’ll try to shake things up a little and see if we can change the conversation.”
The Travers won’t be Winchell’s only Grade I opportunity on Saturday. One race earlier, they’ll send out Extra Anejo(Into Mischief) in the GI Forego S., which also offers a “Win and You’re In” berth to the GI Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.
The colt comes in off a solid third in the Hanshin S. at Churchill Downs, where he pressed the pace before tiring late. With a 95 Beyer in that effort and prior graded form in the Commonwealth S. (GIII), Asmussen believes he’s sitting on a peak performance.
“He’s as good physically as we’ve ever had him,” Fiske said. “We’ve been able to train him consistently, he looks terrific, and he runs well fresh. If he fires his best shot, he could surprise some people.”
Drawn in post 5 of 11 and also partnered with Curtis, Extra Anejo is listed at 20-1, but no one in the Winchell barn is counting him out.
For Magnitude, though, Saturday’s Travers will be more than just another race—it will be the chance to challenge the leader, to prove the spring setback hasn’t derailed him, and perhaps to deliver Winchell Thoroughbreds another piece of Travers glory, much like Epicenter once did.
Sovereignty may look imposing, but Saratoga has always left room for an upset. With Magnitude in the gate, the promise is of a thrilling renewal—speed, tactics, and a head-to-head clash between established power and a challenger ready to rise.
