One week from HOLD Runhappy Travers S., the main contender for the ‘Midsummer Derby’ was in effect at Spa Saturday morning.
Gold Square and GI TVG.com GI Arkansas winner Haskell S. Cyberknife (Gunman) passed five eighths in 1:00 (6/17) on Saratoga’s main track.
Coach Brad Cox said: “Excellent walk, gallop and cool down well. “We are ready. He is doing as well as he can and we are excited for the race.”
Coach Chad Brown has tested some Runhappy Travers Day hopes on Saturday’s main track, led by GI winner Toyota Blue Grass S. and GII runner-up Jim Dandy S. Zandon (Start up), who wrapped five sweaters in 1:00.65 (7/17).
GI Preakness Heroes S. and Fourth Jim Dandy Vote early (Gunman), driven by Jose Ortiz, made five eighths in 1:01 (November 17) in the company with the GII Amsterdam S runner-up. Exactly (Realistic jokes), who is targeting the GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial.
Travers-bound Curlin S. winner and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Artorius (Arrogate), with Irad Ortiz, Jr., went half a mile at: 47 (5/80) with GISW Search Results (flattening), who is targeting GI Personal Ensign S. on Runhappy Delivery Date.
“I think all the Travers horses do well,” says Brown. “The track was a lot faster after halftime today and a lot faster than the whole meeting. We shall see what role it plays in the preparation of the horses in the afternoon. I know it’s an observation that people will tell you who has been trained in it. “
Brown added, “I’m so excited about it [Travers]. I feel very grateful. These horses are difficult to come by. It is just reality. To have three people here, I hope one of them can get the job done.”
Brown also passed MGISW and Haskell third ‘Rising Star’ Jack Christopher (Munnings) five-eighths in: 59.80 (4/17) in the company for the outside of the 3-year-old dog won the state grant won the Colt Key Point grant (Into Mischief). He’s aiming for the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial.
“Jack Christopher has done it very well in himself,” Brown said. “He was back to his old self after a languid split from Haskell. He worked a little harder and I’m happy with that.”
Iowa Derby Winner Ain’t Life Grand (Not this time) fired a half-mile bullet at: 45.88 (1/80) Saturday on Saratoga main road in preparation for Runhappy Travers.
“I think it’s a very good piece of work,” said coach Kelly Von Hemel. “That song played a little bit faster today than it did, so the timing was a little bit faster than we expected. But he did everything we wanted and was good in himself. He’s come back great and we’re very pleased with that.”
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This story was posted in Top News and tagged Artorius, Brad Cox, Chad Brown, Cyberknife, Vote early, Jack Christopher, Midsummer Derby, Runhappy Travers, Saratoga, Zandon.
