It’s Bob Baffert’s and Mike Smith’s world - the rest of us are just lucky to be citizens of it. On Travers S.-G1 day, August 25, the so-called undercard featured two grade one races for fillies and mares, the Personal Ensign S. and the Ballerina S., and both were won by the dynamic duo who might as well be Batman and Robin given their unbeatable heroism. Gritty Abel Tasman (Quality Road) won the Personal Ensign with her trademark battle down to the wire, for the second year in a row, and despite an objection and inquiry. It was the most thrilling race of the day, easily. Abel Tasman has now banked $2,787, 385.

Then Marley’s Freedom (Blame) won the Ballerina in the most impressive race of the day, going away from a strong field with ease. She now has earnings of over $628,000, and looked unbeatable under Smith sitting chilly the whole way.

These stellar fillies represent two stallions who are shining stars this year, and whose offspring are showing up and winning at a phenomenal pace: Quality Road, who stands at Lane’s End for $70,000, up from $25,000 last year, and Blame, who stands at Claiborne Farm for a mere $12,500. It is also well worth noting that in this era of multi-million-dollar partnerships for the cream of the yearling and two-year-old crops at sales, Abel Tasman was sent through the Keeneland September Sale and went unpurchased, bought back for $65,000.

Marley’s Freedom went through the same sale in 2015, and was purchased for a bargain price, $35,000. Baffert and Smith have their share of the cream of the crop sales toppers, but these two fillies demonstrate that in the middle and lower ends of the market, grade one winning champions can be found.

--Roberta Smoodin