Asmussen sends out an on-his-toes Epicenter for Travers work

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Monday marked only nine days since Epicenter won the Grade 2 Jim Dandy, but the 3-year-old colt seems eager to get to his next engagement, the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes on Aug. 27.

Sensing how sharp Epicenter has been the last week, trainer Steve Asmussen on Monday gave him a five-furlong workout that the 3-year-old did by himself in 1:01.70. He got his final quarter in 24.81 seconds and galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.41.

It was a bit atypical for an Asmussen runner to do that much so close to his last race.

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“Its not a big deal for him,” Asmussen said. “Little concerned with how sharp he’s been off of winning the Jim Dandy. Obviously, he’s proud of himself. He came out of it in really good shape, just wanted to kind of smooth him off. I’ll give him a little company next week and then we’ll probably slow it down from there.”

Asmussen is taking everything he’s seen from Epicenter since the Jim Dandy as a “great sign.”

“He looked great,” Asmussen said. “I think he remembered how to win and came out of it proud of himself. He’s had very good energy. Honestly, I didn’t want to make him sharper. Just kind of wanted to flatten him out a tad with today’s work.”

Epicenter has time for two more works leading up to the Travers, where he will attempt to secure his first Grade 1 victory against the likes of Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike, Zandon, Cyberknife, Charge It, Artorius, and potentially Early Voting.

Epicenter was far from the only star Asmussen sent out to work on a warm, sun-filled morning in Saratoga.

Jackie’s Warrior, the defending sprint champion and first horse to win Grade 1 stakes in three successive years at Saratoga, went a half-mile in 50.87 as he points to the Grade 1, $600,000 Forego here Aug. 27.

Gulfport, the 2-year-old who has won both of his starts impressively, blew out three furlongs in 37.60 in hand in preparation for Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special.

“Beautiful mover,” Asmussen said. “He sticks his feet out in front of him and covers a lot of ground.”

Clairiere, winner of the Grade 2 Shuvee here July 23, returned to the work tab Monday, going five furlongs in 1:04.80.

“She had an extra week,” Asmussen said. “She puts a lot into her gallops. She knows who she is. Clairiere saves herself for the afternoon when it matters, but I couldn’t be more comfortable with the year she’s in the middle of.”

Clairiere, who won the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps earlier this year, is pointing to the Grade 1, $600,000 Personal Ensign here Aug. 27.

Marsalis, a 3-year-old son of Curlin and a half-brother to the Grade 1 winner Pauline’s Pearl, is working his way back to the races. He breezed five furlongs in 1:02.92 on Monday. He hasn’t run since winning a maiden race March 26 at Fair Grounds.

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Asmussen said that after Marsalis returned to Churchill following his win at Fair Grounds he wasn’t himself, so he sent him back to Stonestreet Farm.

“There’s a level of talent there,” Asmussen said. “You see with his pedigree who he is and how fast he ran in his two races. Didn’t want to take any risks knowing you expect him to be a stakes horse for a while.”