Disarm works in blinkers, will wear them in Travers

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Disarm, fourth in the Kentucky Derby and in the Jim Dandy Stakes most recently, will be equipped with blinkers when he runs in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on Aug. 26, trainer Steve Asmussen said.

Disarm worked in blinkers for the first time Monday morning, going five furlongs in 1:00.19 over the Oklahoma training track. Starting his work just outside of the Grade 1-winning mare Pauline’s Pearl, Disarm got his final quarter in 24.17 seconds and galloped out six furlongs in 1:13.19 and seven furlongs in 1:26.69.

“Trying to find a couple of more lengths,” Asmussen said regarding the equipment change. “I like how he responded today and I think he’s training exceptionally well.”

Though Tyler Gaffalione worked Disarm on Monday, Asmussen said Joel Rosario would retain the mount for the Travers.

After finishing fourth to Mage in the Kentucky Derby, Disarm won the Grade 3 Matt Winn. In the Jim Dandy, run over a sealed, sloppy track, he trailed a compact field behind a slow pace and couldn’t quicken like the ones ahead of him did in the stretch.

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“He came out of it in good shape. We’ve been very happy with how he’s trained back, and this morning’s work, which was asked for, was solid and everything we wanted from him,” Asmussen said.

On Sunday, the Asmussen-trained 3-year-old Magic Tap won a first-level allowance race by a neck over Film Star, with those two finishing 8 1/4 lengths clear of the rest of the field.

Asmsussen said he liked the fact Magic Tap had a target to follow, unlike his previous two starts in which he was on the lead.

“I loved what he did [Sunday],” Asmussen said. “Having something to compose himself about and then wear down, that being a very seasoned horse that ran a good race.”

Magic Tap, who earned a 96 Beyer Speed Figure for the performance, will be considered for the Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 23.

Gunite, second to Elite Power in the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt on July 29, worked five furlongs in 1:00.69 Monday for his rematch with Elite Power in the Grade 1 Forego on the Travers undercard.

Also working for Asmussen on Monday were Gold Sweep and Valentine Candy, who went five furlongs together in 1:01.44. Gold Sweep, who won the Tremont Stakes at Belmont Park before stumbling at the start of the Sanford and finishing second, and Valentine Candy, a debut winner here on July 22, are both being pointed to the Grade 1 Hopeful on Sept. 4.

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American Rascal, who won his debut for Wesley Ward by 10 1/4 lengths at Keeneland in April before finishing 13th in the Group 2 Norfolk at Royal Ascot, has been transferred to Asmussen.

American Rascal, a 2-year-old son of Curlin out of the multiple Group 1-winning mare Lady Aurelia, worked four furlongs in 49.78 seconds Monday over the Oklahoma training track in company with the maiden Ozone.

Asmussen said he has no immediate plan for American Rascal.

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