Always Dreaming relaxes nicely in team drill for Travers

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Though trainer Todd Pletcher stopped just short of committing him to the race, Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming took a significant step toward a start Aug. 26 in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers with a sharp half-mile workout Friday morning.

Working in company for the first time in a long time, Always Dreaming went a half-mile in 48.82 seconds over the Oklahoma training track. Under jockey John Velazquez, Always Dreaming started one length behind Outplay, the Curlin Stakes winner, and tracked him through an eighth in 13.01 seconds and a quarter in 25.44. The two were one even terms in midstretch, with Always Dreaming finishing about a neck in front at the wire. Always Dreaming and Outplay galloped out together through five furlongs in 1:01.72, with Always Dreaming a length in front after six furlongs in 1:14.84.

According to Pletcher, Always Dreaming hadn’t worked in company since leaving south Florida before the Kentucky Derby. Pletcher said he wanted to see how he would act sitting off another horse, and both he and Velazquez were pleased with how the horse handled it.

Velazquez admitted to being “very concerned” if Always Dreaming would settle behind the other horse.

“He actually settled really nice, so it was very good,” Velazquez said. “He settled nicely, finished up very good, galloped out really good. Just the way we wanted it. I think he’s coming back.”

Said Pletcher: “I was very pleased with the work this morning, I thought it was exactly what I would have hoped he would do and I agree with Johnny that he even settled better than I expected him. I thought he might be a little headstrong in company. I thought he responded really well and I did not see anything today that would discourage me from working him next week with an eye on the Travers.”

Pletcher said that Outplay would remain under consideration for the Travers, but is also a candidate to train up to the Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Parx on Sept. 23.

Tapwrit, the Belmont Stakes winner, put in another solid workout Friday morning as he prepares for the Travers. Working in company with Uncle Mojo, Tapwrit went five furlongs in 1:01.26 with a final quarter of 24.19 over the Oklahoma training track. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:14.94, and seven-eighths in 1:27.79.

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“I think he trained as good as he could go this morning,” Pletcher said. “Loved the way he finished, very relaxed, in hand, and galloped out great.”

Jim Dandy winner Good Samaritan worked four furlongs in 48.89 in company with Flipcup in preparation for the Travers. Good Samaritan shaded 24 seconds in the final quarter, besting his workmate by a length.

Fayeq, recent winner of a first-level allowance race, went four furlongs in 47.33 seconds over the Oklahoma training track. Under jockey Luis Saez, Fayeq worked in company with the 3-year-old maiden Last Stage, pulling away from that one through a final quarter of 23.68 seconds to win the work by three lengths. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:01.50.

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said he was happy to see Fayeq switch leads, something he hasn’t done in his races.

“That’s why we had Saez work him,” McLaughlin said. “He needs to switch leads in the Travers. We’re already stepping up. With his pedigree we think it’s worth a try.”

At Del Mar on Friday, the three-time graded stakes winner Irap worked six furlongs in 1:13.40 for trainer Doug O’Neill. He is expected to work once more at Del Mar before shipping to Saratoga for the Travers.