Dandy Runners Look to Travers

Texas Red | Horsephotos

Texas Red (Afleet Alex) emerged from his victory in Saturday's GII Jim Dandy S. in fine shape, according to Julie Clark, assistant to trainer Keith Desormeaux.

“I went to the test barn with him [after the race] and he wasn't blowing very hard,” Clark said Sunday morning. “He recovered really quickly, he was really content. He came back to the barn, we gave him another bath, walked him another 15-20 minutes, let him graze and he was just happy–relaxed and happy. I wondered if it might get him a little bit rattled, a little stressed, but it didn't seem to, not at all.”

Of a potential match-up with Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) in the Aug. 29 GI Travers S., Clark said, “Keith's always said it would be nicer to wait until the Breeders' Cup before that matchup, but it's inevitable, so why not?,” she said. “He had no interest in the Haskell, he didn't want to meet him just yet, but I think his race impressed him and gave him some confidence.”

Godolphin's Frosted (Tapit), second after an eventful start to Saturday's Jim Dandy, was also doing well Sunday.

“He lost his right front shoe, but luckily he's O.K.,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin reported. “It was a small grab, so obviously he grabbed it off at the break, but he came back in good shape.”

McLaughlin continued, “He ran very well. We're disappointed we got beat, but Texas Red is a nice horse and we ran our race. We gave [Texas Red] four pounds. In [the Travers], we'll be equal weights, and hopefully, with four shoes on, we can turn the tables on him.”

Also under consideration for the Travers is Arnold Zetcher's Smart Transition (Smart Strike), winner of Friday's Curlin S.

“I'm going to talk to Mr. Zetcher about [the Travers],” commented trainer John Shirreffs. “Because the 3-year-old year for colts is such a unique opportunity, you'd hate to not give him a chance if he's up to it. [Winning a race over the track] is really important. He's shown that he likes training here.”

 

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