Creator, Gun Runner work for Travers Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Belmont Stakes winner Creator continues to show signs that his race in the Jim Dandy Stakes, as bad as it was, has moved him forward. For the second straight week, he showed good energy in a five-furlong workout in company with Gun Runner that went in 1:00.60 over Saratoga’s main track Monday.

Both 3-year-olds, coming off disappointing finishes in their most recent outings, are pointing to the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes on Aug. 27.

Gun Runner, with Florent Geroux up, was on the inside of Creator, with exercise rider Abel Flores. The pair went off in fractions of 12.90 seconds for the first eighth, 24.92 for the quarter, and 36.43 for three furlongs. They came home in 24.17 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.21 and seven-eighths in 1:26.32.

"They were awfully nice and smooth," Asmussen said. "I loved Creator's energy away from the pole. Gun Runner's always been a great work horse, but I definitely think Creator is sharper since the Jim Dandy. They both went beautifully."

Creator finished last in the Jim Dandy, compromised somewhat by a slow pace. Still, that he didn’t show any type of run was a bit disconcerting. Gun Runner, third in the Kentucky Derby, finished fifth in the Haskell, a race run over a sloppy surface for which Gun Runner had previously shown disdain.

“I think the circumstances had a lot to do with the outcome, just the way things unfolded, but this is the Travers – no excuses,” Asmussen said. “Planned on Creator being better for the Travers than the Jim Dandy – I think off the little break, that would be appropriate – but obviously wanted a better showing in the Jim Dandy than we got. I thought he’s been impressive in his training since.”