The GI Runhappy Travers S. took a bit of a hit Thursday with news that Gary and Mary West's duo of 'TDN Rising Star' and Eclipse Award winner Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg}) and last-out GI TVG.com Haskell Invitational S. hero Maximum Security (New Year's Day) would be skipping the race. But the 'Midsummer Derby' remains a compelling affair and a pair of its likely entrants tuned up Friday at Saratoga.
Particularly with those aforementioned defections, Tax (Arch) should be one of the betting selections on the strength of his 3/4-length defeat of Tacitus (Tapit) in the GII Jim Dandy S. July 27. Owned by R. A. Hill Stable (Randy Hill), Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Hugh Lynch and Corms Racing Stable, the gelding broke off behind workmate Nan's Plan (Kantharos), slipped through inside of a galloping horse at the entry to the stretch and skipped home well in hand, covering four furlongs in a bullet :47.33 (1/63) (XBTV video) over the Saratoga main track Friday morning. Irad Ortiz, Jr. was in the irons.
“We tucked him in behind a horse and we got some other company in the middle of it and he went to the rail and just went right on about his business. I was really happy,” said trainer Danny Gargan. “Irad said he's getting stronger and bigger and faster. We're really happy with how he's doing. He seems to be blossoming at just the right time. He was bucking and squealing coming off the track. It was a big-time work. He worked in [:47.33], and out three-quarters in 1:12.4.
“He looks great after the work,” Gargan continued. “This is the fittest we ever had him. This winter we missed a lot of training due to weather and a few things here and there, but he's fit now. I don't know if we can win the Travers, but we're going to show up and run good.”
Claimed for $50,000 out of a victory in his two-turn debut at Keeneland last October, Tax was third in the GII Remsen S., but rebounded to win the GIII Withers S. ahead of a runner-up effort to Tacitus in the GII Wood Memorial S. Never truly factor in the GI Kentucky Derby and fourth in the GI Belmont S., he sat off the pace set by War of Will (War Front) in the Jim Dandy, ran to the front in upper stretch and held sway late from the slow-starting Tacitus.
Endorsed Likely For Travers…
Godolphin's Endorsed (Medaglia d'Oro), a strong second to Highest Honors (Tapit) in the restricted Curlin S. July 26, was pronounced a likely starter for the Travers after drilling a half-mile in :48.33 (12/63) over the Spa main track Friday morning (XBTV video).
“He worked really well and has been doing great since the Curlin and at this time are pointing to the Travers as long as he jogs up well tomorrow,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said.
The conditioner admitted that Thursday's developments helped put some wind in his sails.
“We were looking at it strongly, but it helps to know that two of the [potential] favorites aren't running. We're doing very well and excited about the prospects,” McLaughlin said.
Joel Rosario, who guided Endorsed to his first-level allowance victory at Belmont June 23, has the call for the Travers.
Mind Control Hoping Lightning Strikes Twice…
Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stable's Mind Control (Stay Thirsty) is set to return to the site of his finest career moment when he contests the GI H. Allen Jerkens S. on the Travers undercard Aug. 24.
Victorious in the GI Hopeful S. last summer, the bay earned Kentucky Derby points when landing the Jan. 1 Jerome S. and when a game runner-up in the GIII Gotham S., both going Aqueduct's one-turn mile. Foregoing the Triple Crown races, Mind Control has since raced exclusively at seven furlongs, winning the GIII Bay Shore S. Apr. 6, finishing a troubled eighth to Hog Creek Hustle (Overanalyze) in the GI Woody Stephens S. June 8 and a neck third when hampered in Laurel's Concern S. July 14.
“The last two starts have been disastrous,” trainer Greg Sacco admitted. “In the Woody Stephens, he stumbled to his face and then he got bumped at the quarter pole. The last trip wasn't much better at Laurel. He was blocked the whole stretch it seemed. The main thing is, he came out of those races well. You don't always have the racing luck, which you need, hopefully we'll have some racing luck in the Allen Jerkens.”
Mind Control, who ships to Saratoga Aug. 21, worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 at his Monmouth base Aug. 10 and is scheduled to breeze back Saturday.
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