1999 Travers Stakes : ESPN Broadcast

When Lemon Drop Kid outlasted Vision and Verse to win this year's Belmont Stakes by a head, his victory was overshadowed by the tragic injury to Kentucky Derby-Preakness winner Charismatic. Now it's Lemon Drop Kid's turn to overshadow Charismatic. In a virtual replay of the Belmont, the son of Kingmambo got the best of Vision and Verse again, surging past him in a stretch-long duel to win the 130th running of the $1 million Travers Stakes by three-quarters of a length before a record Travers crowd of 51,371 that eclipsed the old mark of 50,359 set when Affirmed met Alydar in 1978. Menifee, the 8-5 favorite, was a non-threatening third, 13/4 lengths behind Vision and Verse. Ecton Park, Best of Luck, Badger Gold, early pace-setter Cat Thief and Unbridled Jet completed the order of finish. By winning the "Midsummer Derby," Lemon Drop Kid stamped himself the top 3-year-old in training and became the co-favorite with Charismatic for championship honors. Lemon Drop Kid could clinch the Eclipse Award by winning one of his next scheduled starts, the Woodward and Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park and the Breeders' Cup Classic at Gulfstream Park. Charismatic was retired after the Belmont and will leave New York today for Lane's End Farm in Kentucky, where he'll begin stud duty next spring. "I hope (Lemon Drop Kid) gets a little credit now," said winning rider Jose Santos. "After the Belmont all eyes were on Charismatic but Lemon Drop Kid won the race. (Yesterday) he had to prove he's the real deal. In my heart he's one of the best." http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/item_0o2KSaR6wHUIFwu4BfgbeM