MGSW Tacitus (Tapit) was among the sophomore colts putting in their final works ahead of the Aug. 24 GI Travers S. at Saratoga Saturday morning. Sporting blinkers, which he will race with for the first time in the Travers, the gray breezed a bullet five furlongs in 1:00.48 (1/5) over the Oklahoma training track in company with turf stakes winner Seismic Wave (Tapit).
“It was what we were looking for. He was a bit more focused with the blinkers,” said the colt's regular rider Jose Ortiz, who was aboard for the work. “There was a loose horse, so we pulled up at the quarter-pole and when he galloped to the seven-furlong [pole] he was very focused. Before, he used to look around and play around, but he doesn't do that now, so that makes me more confident. He worked unbelievable. He has a nice way that he goes, he can do :12s the whole way around there.”
Mott was also happy with his charge, who finished second last time in the GII Jim Dandy S. after falling to his knees at the break.
“I thought it looked good. He tracked [Seismic Wave] and joined him at the head of the lane. It looked like he cruised on by with not a lot of encouragement,” Mott said. “He was very focused. He galloped out nicely.”
The Hall of Famer continued, “I think the blinkers seem as though they helped him focus a little bit. Even in the workout, it looked like his head carriage was a little more straight and level. Does he absolutely have to have them? Maybe not. But if they help him an inch it'll be worth it. The good thing is that they didn't make him anxious or rank. They just helped him focus through the stretch.”
Mott is likely to run a three members of the fairer sex on Travers day as well. MGISW Elate (Medaglia d'Oro) is scheduled to run in the GI Personal Ensign S. and Mott said she will probably be joined by recent GIII Shuvee S. victress Golden Award (Medaglia d'Oro). He is also aiming Mitchell Road (English Channel) towards the GII Ketel One Ballston Spa S.
Chad Brown sent out his Travers-bound duo of Highest Honors (Tapit) and Looking at Bikinis (Lookin At Lucky) for their final works Saturday. Winner of the Curlin S. July 26, Highest Honors breezed five panels in 1:01.66 (23/30) over the main track.
“He went super,” said Brown. “It was a nice little maintenance move. He galloped out strong and came back with a lot of energy.”
The Curlin was just the third career start for Highest Honors, but Brown is confident in the colt's ability to handle this step up in class.
“He's been looking for a mile and a quarter for some time,” said Brown. “I know he's lightly raced and lacks some experience, but I'm confident the distance will suit him.”
Victorious in his first two outings, Looking at Bikinis finished third as the favorite in the Curlin. The bay covered five furlongs in 1:00.85 (15/30) Saturday morning.
“He's been looking for a mile and a quarter for some time,” said Brown. “I know he's lightly raced and lacks some experience, but I'm confident the distance will suit him.”
The Dale Romans-trained Everfast (Take Charge Indy), last seen finishing fourth in the GI Haskell Invitational S., was also on the worktab Saturday with the Travers in mind. The GI Preakness S. runner-up breezed five panels in 1:00.23 (7/30) with Tammy Fox in the irons.
Dallas Stewart also has a possible Travers runner in Chess Chief (Into Mischief), who finished second in the GIII West Virginia Derby last time out Aug. 3. The bay will breeze Monday at Churchill Downs, after which Stewart will make an official decision.
“He ran a good second last time in the West Virginia Derby behind a really nice horse, so he's getting better,” said Stewart. “He's a late-developing colt by Into Mischief, who is a great sire. The Travers is one of the great American races and we're hoping he'll like the distance.”
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