Runhappy Travers

George Hall and SportBLX Thoroughbreds's GI Kentucky Derby contender Max Player (Honor Code) has been moved from trainer Linda Rice to the Steve Asmussen barn, Rice confirmed via Twitter Tuesday. "Max Player has been moved to the Asmussen barn in order to prepare for the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs," Rice said. "We are disappointed to see him go, but we wish George Hall and SportBLX the best of luck!" Winner of the GIII Withers S. this February at Aqueduct, Max Player finished third behind Tiz the Law (Constitution) off...

The Week in Review, by Bill Finley As spectacular as Gamine (Into Mischief) was in the GI Longines Test S., the win failed to answer the only question that remains unanswered when it comes to a filly who shows superstar potential. She demolished her opposition, including the talented Venetian Harbor (Munnings) in the seven-furlong race, but will she be able to do the same at nine furlongs in the GI Kentucky Oaks? Her two biggest wins, the Test and the GI Longines Acorn S., have come at a mile or...

Sackatoga Stable's GI Runhappy Travers S. winner Tiz the Law (Constitution) was bright-eyed the morning after his dominant 5 1/2-length victory in Saratoga's marquee race, for which he received a career-best 109 Beyer Speed Figure. Shortly after training concluded for the morning, trainer Barclay Tagg was at his barn on the Saratoga backstretch standing next to the garland of carnations that had been draped around the now four-time Grade I winner's neck Saturday. Tagg said his star 3-year-old colt was in good order. "He looks fine," Tagg told the NYRA...

Sackatoga Stable's Tiz the Law (Constitution) continued his unconventional path to Louisville in this upside down year with a jaw-dropping, geared-down 5 1/2-length victory in Saturday's GI Runhappy Travers S. at a spectator-free Saratoga. 'TDN Rising Star' Caracaro (Uncle Mo) was second; Max Player (Honor Code) finished third. "I've been doing this a long time and I've always wanted to win the Travers," winning trainer Barclay Tagg said. "This has been in my head my whole life. And now it happened so it couldn't be better. You always have some...

Following a resounding victory in the GI Belmont S., Sackatoga Stable and Barclay Tagg could have easily put their star pupil Tiz the Law (Constitution) in bubble wrap and waited for a run in the rescheduled GI Kentucky Derby. After all, only in this strange year could a team of connections have the benefit of 11 weeks of rest in between the first and second legs of the Triple Crown. Instead, the once-beaten New York-bred star will line up as a heavy favorite in Saturday's GI Runhappy Travers S. at...

For the second consecutive year, the $1-million GI Runhappy Travers S. at Saratoga will be televised live on the FOX Sports broadcast network as part of a 1 1/2-hour telecast from 5:00-6:30 p.m. ET Saturday. Post time for the 151st running of the Runhappy Travers, featuring a showdown between GI Belmont S. winner Tiz the Law (Constitution) and the unbeaten Bob Baffert-trained Uncle Chuck (Uncle Mo), is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. ET. An expanded Runhappy Travers Day edition of Saratoga Live, presented by America's Best Racing, Runhappy and Claiborne Farm,...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - This summer, the road to Churchill Downs runs through upstate New York and has brought Caracaro (Uncle Mo) from South Florida for the historic GI Runhappy Travers S. Saturday. Though the Travers is often the late-August goal for the owners and trainers of talented 3-year-olds, the COVID-19 pandemic has produced a serious rewrite of the schedule for elite races and briefly changed its status. Long ago dubbed the "Midsummer Derby," the 2020 Travers at Saratoga Race Course is a stepping stone to the GI Kentucky Derby...

GI Belmont S. winner Tiz the Law (Constitution) looks to take his next step down this unconventional GI Kentucky Derby trail in Saturday's GI Runhappy Travers S. at Saratoga. The even-money morning-line favorite will break from post six with regular rider Manny Franco in the irons. "I think he's matured enough now that outside or inside is not going to bother him too much," trainer Barclay Tagg said. "I'd prefer that he's on the outside just because you have less chance of getting in trouble. Not that you can't, but...

Ed DeRosa of Brisnet.com takes on TDN's Steve Sherack and Brian DiDonato as they handicap Triple Crown prep races plus the big three races themselves. The three will make $100 Win/Place bets in the preps and $200 Win/Place bets in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont. Highest bankroll at the end wins. DeRosa - Shared Belief S. Result - Cezanne finished last of four. Bankroll: $4960. GI Runhappy Travers S. - I hope people fall in love with the thought of Baffert shipping East (again!) and bet their lungs on...

South Bend (Algorithms), a recent addition to the Bill Mott barn, turned in his final breeze Sunday over Saratoga's Oklahoma Training Track as he eyes next Saturday's GI Runhappy Travers S. The colt was acquired privately from Sagamore Farm and trainer Stanley Hough after finishing second in the June 27 GIII Ohio Derby by a group that includes Gary Barber, Adam Wachtel, Peter Deutsch and Leonard Schleifer of Pantofel Stable. Working outside of recent GII Suburban S. romper Tacitus (Tapit), South Bend was credited with five furlongs in a best-of-11...

On paper, First Line (First Samurai) would appear to be in over his head in the GI Runhappy Travers S. But his young trainer insists he "will outrun his odds" and sees the horse starting in the GI Kentucky Derby. Orlando Noda is not lacking confidence. It's not hard to understand why. Training for just 16 months, Noda, 31, is in the midst of another strong Saratoga meet. With just six horses under his care at the start of the meet last year, he went three for nine. This year,...

The Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. will host its online fundraiser--the week-long "Racing for the Children" virtual party--beginning Monday, Aug. 3 at 12 p.m. through Sunday, Aug. 9. The virtual format, which serves as a temporary substitute for the BCCA's annual dinner, will be hosted online at www.BelmontChildCare.org. Through the week, the website will host a series of features, including video messages from well-known racing personalities, a premium auction and recipes from Saratoga Springs restaurants. All proceeds will support the BCCA's mission to care for the children and families of...