Choice here makes a lot of Street Sense

Immediately after Rags To Riches’ historic victory over Curlin in the Belmont Stakes on June 9, the $1-million Travers became the most eagerly awaited race of 2007.

The hope was the Grade I at 1 1/4 miles would bring together the winners of the Triple Crown races -- Rags To Riches, Preakness star Curlin and Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense -- with the winner becoming front-runner for horse-of-the-year honors.

Alas, as often happens in the sport, reality fell far short of the dream. Rags To Riches, who became the first filly to win the Belmont in more than 100 years, has not run since and isn’t expected to surface again until the Ruffian on Sept. 8 or the Gazelle on Sept. 15 at Belmont Park.

Soundly defeated by Any Given Saturday and Hard Spun in the Haskell three weeks ago at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., Curlin is aiming for the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup on Sept. 30 at Belmont.

Only Street Sense made it to the Travers, which will be run for the 138th time today at Saratoga, and the Street Cry colt will be an overwhelming favorite to win for the sixth time in 11 starts.

In his first race since he lost a memorable stretch duel in the Preakness, Street Sense won the Jim Dandy in his Saratoga debut July 29.

If there is to be a surprise, Sightseeing might be the most likely candidate.

The son of Pulpit, who finished third in the Jim Dandy, has been pointed to the Travers by trainer Shug McGaughey and should relish 10 furlongs.

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Baseball

The Chicago Cubs, who have had little success in Arizona in recent seasons, will have their best road pitcher on the mound today when they continue a series with the Diamondbacks.

Ted Lilly (13-6) has won six of seven decisions away from Wrigley Field, and maybe the left-hander can help turn things around for Chicago.

Entering Friday night’s game, Chicago had lost six of its last eight in Arizona.

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Pro football

Dallas, which outscored defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis and Denver, 54-30, in exhibition games at home, will play its first road game tonight in Houston.

The Cowboys, who are 4-2 on the road in exhibition games since 2004, have split their last two exhibition games with the Texans, winning, 21-9 ,in Dallas in 2005 and losing, 18-0, in Houston the year before. Quarterback Tony Romo has completed 21 of 29 passes for 215 yards.

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bob.mieszerski@latimes.com