Good Samaritan puts in five-furlong prep for Travers Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Good Samaritan, the Grade 2 Jim Dandy winner, worked five furlongs in 1:01.67 Sunday morning over the Oklahoma training track, his final serious move before next Saturday’s Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes.

Working in company with the 3-year-old filly Boule, Good Samaritan started 1 1/2 lengths behind his workmate, and was on even terms by the quarter pole after going a quarter in 25.45. Good Samaritan and Boule were side by side until nearing the wire, where Good Samaritan finished a neck in front. Good Samaritan galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.48.

“He did it the right way, was well within himself, showed good energy and was moving well,” trainer Bill Mott said. “So far, he looks like he’s come back well. Seems like he was out for an easy gallop.”

Good Samaritan, a son of Harlan’s Holiday, had never raced on dirt before he rallied from 12 lengths back to win the Jim Dandy by 4 3/4 lengths, beating a field that included Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming and Preakness winner Cloud Computing.

Those two, plus Belmont Stakes winner Tapwrit, Haskell winner Girvin, Ohio Derby and Iowa Derby winner Irap, and Los Alamitos Derby winner West Coast, are among those expected for the Travers.

“We respect all the competition, but I wouldn’t trade places with anybody right now,” Mott said.

At Del Mar on Sunday, West Coast was credited with a half-mile in 48.20 seconds though trainer Bob Baffert said the move was more like a three-quarter move out seven furlongs. The work was done in company with American Anthem, whom Baffert is sending here for the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens on the same card.

“They went really nice,” Baffert said. [West Coast] has been doing well. He needs pace. It’s the kind of race you don’t know how it’s going to set up. It’s Saratoga, you don’t know what you’re going to get.”

West Coast, a son of Flatter, has won his three starts and is 4-2-0 from six career starts.

Trainer Chad Brown said a final decision on Preakness winner Cloud Computing’s Travers status will be finalized Monday.

Other workers of note Sunday at Saratoga included Antonoe and Lady Eli breezing a half-mile in company over the Oklahoma turf course in 48.45 seconds, the two getting their final quarter in 23.35 seconds. Antonoe is pointing to Saturday’s Grade 2, $400,000 Ballston Spa Stakes at Saratoga while Lady Eli is going to wait for the Grade 1 Flower Bowl at Belmont Park.

Fourstar Crook and Roca Rojo went four furlongs together in 49.98 seconds, also over the turf. Roca Rojo is definite for the Ballston Spa while Fourstar Crook is going in either the Ballston Spa or the Yaddo for New York-breds on Friday.

On Leave, nominated to the Ballston Spa, worked four furlongs in 49.42 seconds in company with Apple Betty over the Oklahoma turf.