Saratoga: Paynter will be passing through

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Paynter, the Haskell winner, is coming to Saratoga after all and will be here for the Travers.

But will not be participating.

Paynter, who missed about two weeks of training because of illness, was scheduled to van from Belmont to Saratoga on Wednesday. He will train here through the weekend before flying back to Southern California on Monday, trainer Bob Baffert said.

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Baffert’s top assistant, Jim Barnes, arrived in Saratoga on Monday along with Contested, who is being pointed to Saturday’s Grade 1 Test. Barnes will also saddle Liaison in the Travers and Gun Boat in the King’s Bishop.

“I want Jimmy to see the horse,” Baffert said when asked why Paynter was being moved from Belmont to Saratoga.

Baffert, who will not be coming to Saratoga this weekend, wants to get Paynter back in his care next week and train him for a little while before deciding if he can make the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 22.