Street Sense edges Grasshopper to win Travers

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense overcame an inspired performance by Grasshopper to win the $1 million Travers Stakes by a half-length on Saturday.

Heavily favored Street Sense edged ahead of Grasshopper in the final strides to win the mile-and-a-quarter affair at Saratoga Race Course in 2:02.69.

"He started to play around with me," Street Sense jockey Calvin Borel said of his 3-year-old colt.

Grasshopper, with Robby Albarado in the saddle, battled gamely in his first stakes race. The son of Dixie Union forged to the lead early over six other rivals and was the surprising pacesetter entering the top of the stretch.

Street Sense stalked the leaders and appeared ready to assume command coming off the final turn.

But Grasshopper refused to back down and the two colts battled stride-for-stride to the wire. Street Sense, however, fought off the challenge to become the first Kentucky Derby winner since Thunder Gulch in 1995 to also win the Travers.

Street Sense paid $2.70, $2.20 and $2.10 for a $2 ticket. Grasshopper paid $4.60 and $3.60, and longshot Helsinki paid $7.80 to show.

Winner in six of 11 career starts, Street Sense has never finished worse than third.