** For video of Miner’s Reserve breezing on the
** For video of Ice Box working on the main track, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/nyravideo#p/a/u/2/uOSQpYvAKyI **
Friday, August 20, 2010
Contact: NYRA Communications
518-584-6200 ext. 4237
- Travers Watch: Miner’s Reserve, Ice Box work, Fly Down goes Saturday; Admiral Alex breezes
- Fields taking shape for next week’s stakes action
- La Concerto favored in Union Avenue
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Robert LaPenta’s Miner’s Reserve and Ice Box put in workouts Friday morning at Saratoga Race Course, with both colts from the barn of Nick Zito possible for the 141st running of the Grade 1, $1 million Travers on Saturday, August 28.
With Calvin Borel aboard, Miner’s Reserve breezed four furlongs in company with stablemate Gallant Fields, with the duo covering the distance in 48.35, ranked second among 31 workouts at the distance over the
The Hall of Fame trainer has yet to commit Miner’s Reserve to the Travers, wishing to assess the prospective field before making a final decision.
There are no question marks regarding the status of Ice Box, who took to the main track with Julien Leparoux in the irons. In company with Cool Coal Man, Ice Box breezed five furlongs in 1:00.09, the second fastest of 26 moves.
“It looks like he has a little more strength would be my guess,” said Zito of Ice Box’s condition following his sixth-place finish in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational. “It takes them a while to recover from [the Triple Crown] races. Hopefully he comes with a great run next weekend. If he runs to the
Fly Down, trained by Zito for Richard C. Pell, is scheduled to have his final pre-Travers workout tomorrow morning, either on the main track or the Oklahoma Training Track.
Training up to next Saturday's Travers, Admiral Alex came onto the main track at 5:50 this morning for a six-furlong workout.
With jockey Kent Desormeaux aboard, Admiral Alex started the first quarter in :24 2/5, passed three furlongs in :35 4/5, went five furlongs in 1:01 2/5, breezed six furlongs in 1:14.02, and then galloped out seven furlongs in 1:26 3/5.
"It was a beautiful work. He didn't break a hair," said owner and trainer Leon Blusiewicz. "He finished really well. He finished stronger than he started. That's what I wanted. Now, he'll just gallop into the race."
Admiral Alex will come into the Travers with just one start – a one-length maiden win at 1 1/8th
miles at the Spa on July 31.
In addition to Zito’s horses and Admiral Alex, the Travers is expected to attract Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, Jim Dandy winner A Little Warm, Afleet Again, Afleet Express, First Dude, Friend Or Foe, Steinbeck, Trickmeister, and possibly Pleasant Prince, Steinbeck, and Trappe Shot, who is also under consideration for the King’s Bishop.
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Highlighted by the Travers and Rachel Alexandra’s return to
Friday features 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/8th miles on the turf in the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch, headlined by Grade 1 winner Take the Points, who is expected to be joined by Baletti, Get Stormy, Inca King, Radical Sabbatical, and Whatsthescript, with National Kid, Nicanor, and Rogue Victory possible.
Saturday’s Travers Day undercard includes the Grade 3 Victory Ride for 3-year-old filly sprinters, likely to feature Babai Baby, Beyondallboundaries, Katy Now, My Jen, Nonna Mia, Pica Slew, Rapport, Sister Dawn, Tidal Pool, Touching Beauty, and possible Simply Spiteful.
Among those targeting the Grade 2 Ballston Spa are a trio who finished behind Proviso in the Diana – Dynaslew, Maram, and Phola, as well as De La Rose winner Miss Keller. Champion female sprinter Informed Decision and Rightly So are likely to start in the Grade 1 Ballerina, with Discreetly Mine and D’ Funnybone headlining the Grade 1 King’s Bishop for 3-year-olds.
Sunday, of course, features the return to
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Padua Stables’ La Concerto, never worse than third in four starts this year, drew the rail with Hall of Famer Edgar Prado up and was made the 3-1 morning line favorite among nine New York-bred fillies and mares in Monday’s $70,000 Union Avenue. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the 4-year-old Aptitude filly has two victories in 2010, most recently taking the Arctic Queen Handicap at
Second choice at 7-2 in the six-furlong sprint is Gold for the Queen, who won the Susan B. Anthony Handicap at Finger Lakes and subsequently finished second in the Arctic Queen, beaten a nose. Rajiv Maragh rides from post position 5.
Rounding out the field are Karakorum Fugitive, R Betty Graybull, Shine Upon, Meese Rocks, City Broad, Smokin Pistol, and Favorite Flavor.
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