Goal Oriented, Chunk of Gold to run next in Pennsylvania Derby
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Goal Oriented has a new target.
Goal Oriented, the third-place finisher behind Journalism in the Grade 1 Haskell Stakes on July 20, has been rerouted from the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on Aug. 23 at Saratoga to the Grade 1, $1 million Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 20 at Parx Racing, trainer Bob Baffert said Wednesday.
“I think he needs a little bit more time,” said Baffert, who last Friday seemed to be leaning toward the Travers. “I don’t think he’s ready for that. He ran hard [in the Haskell]. He’s a really big horse, I don’t want to run him too much. I want him for next year.”
Goal Oriented, a son of Not This Time, has run four times this year, all since April 6. After winning his first two starts – a maiden and an allowance – Goal Oriented finished fourth in the Preakness before his three-quarter-length defeat in the Haskell in which he was just necked out for second by Gosger.
Also nominated to the Travers but not expected to run are Gosger and Chunk of Gold, winner of the West Virginia Derby on Aug. 3. Ethan West, trainer of Chunk of Gold, said his horse would likely need more time and he too is pointing to the Pennsylvania Derby.
The specter of Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty is undoubtedly playing a role in the decisions by many to skip the Travers, despite its stature and $1.25 million purse. The connections of Preakness winner Journalism have not officially stated their next race, and while nominated to the Travers, he seems more likely to run in the Pacific Classic on Aug. 30 at Del Mar.
As of Wednesday, the confirmed Travers runners were Sovereignty, Magnitude, and Strategic Focus. Possible starters are Bracket Buster, fourth in the Haskell; and McAfee, runner-up in the West Virginia Derby.
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