Colonel John wins Travers in photo finish

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y., Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Santa Anita Derby winner Colonel John survived a stretch duel with Mambo in Seattle to win Saturday's $1 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga.

Colonel John, ridden by Garrett Gomez, went off as the 4-1 second choice behind 7-2 favorite Pyro.

Da' Tara, winner of the Belmont Stakes, set the pace, closely followed by Tizbig in the 1 1/4-mile race. The two held their positions up the backstretch while Colonel John and Tres Borrachos dueled behind them. Da' Tara and Tizbig were increasing their lead coming out of the turn.

With a quarter-mile to go, Colonel John took a short lead as Mambo in Seattle closed in. The two battled down the stretch and hit the wire together. The photo revealed Colonel John nipped Mambo in Seattle by the smallest of margins. Jim Dandy runner-up Pyro finished third followed by Harlem Rocker, Da' Tara, Court Vision, Tale of Ekati, Macho Again, Tizbig, Amped, Cool Coal Man and Tres Borrachos.