Creator and Gun Runner work toward Travers

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Creator and Gun Runner, who each disappointed in their most recent starts, put it in workouts Monday morning at Saratoga designed to be the first steps on the road to the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes here on Aug. 27. Both are trained by Steve Asmussen.

Belmont Stakes winner Creator, who finished last in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes here on July 30, went a half-mile in 50.83 seconds shortly after 5:30 a.m. over the Oklahoma training track. He showed noticeably more energy in this half-mile breeze than he had in his last breeze prior to the Jim Dandy.

Creator, equipped with blinkers that he typically wears in the morning and afternoon, went his first eighth in 12.40 seconds, the quarter in 25.22, and remained steady under Abel Flores through the lane in a final quarter in 25.61.

“There’s a lot more emphasis on now,” Asmussen said. “The way the race set up last time, there’s a little more urgency for all of us.”

Creator worked about 30 minutes after Gun Runner, fifth in the Grade 1 Haskell at Monmouth on July 31, went a half-mile in 51.23 seconds. Gun Runner went an opening quarter in 25.54 seconds and a second quarter in 25.69. He went relatively easily throughout under Flores.

Asmussen typically works horses back nine days after a race but moved Gun Runner’s work up a day to get him on the same schedule as Creator.

“Both of them moved really well today,” Asmussen said. “Obviously, the last races for both of them weren’t what we were expecting or wanting, but the main thing is they came out of it in good shape, and both are beautifully sound horses that are doing well.”

A large field is shaping up for the Travers. Among those under consideration are American Freedom, Arrogate, Connect, Creator, Destin, Exaggerator, Forever d’Oro, Gettysburg, Gift Box, Gun Runner, Governor Malibu, Laoban, My Man Sam, and possibly Mohaymen and Seeking Blame.