Decision pending for Gettysburg's next start

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Gettysburg, who was used as a pacesetter for stablemate Creator when that horse won the Belmont Stakes, worked five furlongs in 1:01.26 over the Oklahoma training track Wednesday.

Equipped with blinkers, equipment he has not worn in any race, Gettysburg went his first quarter in 25.25 seconds and his last quarter in 23.61. He galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.62.

Gettysburg had been considered for Saturday’s Grade 2 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer, but those plans were scrapped when he couldn’t work on Monday due to the off tracks at Saratoga.

Elliott Walden, the president and chief executive of WinStar Farm, which owns both Creator and Gettysburg, said Gettysburg would be considered for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on Aug. 27. He would again be used as a pacesetter for Creator, who finished last in the Jim Dandy Stakes.

However, Walden said if he feels there is enough speed entered in the Travers, Gettysburg could be considered for a race like the Smarty Jones Stakes at Parx on Sept. 5.

“We’ll see how he continues to train,” Walden said. “There should be plenty of speed in the Travers. It should set up differently than the Jim Dandy.”