Game Winner strong in final work for Travers

DEL MAR, Calif. - Game Winner is ready for the Travers. He worked a sharp six furlongs at Del Mar on Tuesday morning in 1:12 under Joe Talamo, after which his trainer, Bob Baffert, said, "He's doing the best he's done all year long."

"But he's needs to be doing his best," Baffert added. "He's gonna have to lay it down."

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The Grade 1 Travers, Aug. 24 at Saratoga, is shaping up as a pivotal race in the battle for the divisional lead among 3-year-old males, with Tacitus and Tax among the confirmed starters. Game Winner will have one more work prior to the race before traveling, but the drill on Tuesday was his final major piece of work.

"He went nice. He's doing really well," Baffert said.

Gary and Mary West own Game Winner. They also own Jason Servis-trained Maximum Security -- the Haskell winner and the disqualified winner of the Kentucky Derby - who is also under consideration for the Travers but could await the Pennsylvania Derby next month instead.