Gulfstream Park: Travelin Man back to old self in Sir Shackleton

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Travelin Man rebounded from his only bad performance at Gulfstream Park last month by recording a repeat victory in Saturday’s $75,000 Sir Shackleton Stakes.

Under Rosie Napravnik, Travelin Man rallied inside of pace-setting Action Andy in upper stretch and galloped home a four-length winner.

Action Andy finished second by 6 1/2 lengths over Spring Hill Farm. He was followed in the order of finish by Whiskey Rebellion, Bellefire and Capt. Candyman Can. Soaring Stocks and Guam Typhoon scratched.

Travelin Man, a 5-year-old son of Trippi owned by Joyce Robsham, won for the fifth time from 13 career starts. He is 5 for 7 at Gulfstream, with a sixth-place finish in the Grade 3 Gulfstream Sprint Championship on Feb. 9 his first start since last July.

“I think he ran out of training last time,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “At the eighth pole the layoff showed up on him. I felt like he might rebound from that with a race under his belt he might be a little stronger. We know he loves Gulfstream; it’s nice to get him back in the winner’s circle.”

Travelin Man was fourth early on after breaking a step slowly but had clear sailing on the rail and seized control turning for home. He covered the 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:16.07 and returned $6 as the 2-1 favorite.

“He was very quiet in the post parade and I just tried to warm him up and try to get him going as much as I could,” Napravnik said. “We ended up laying in a pretty good spot; trip worked out very well for us having a lot of room on the rail.”