Magnitude works with Travers set as next start
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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Magnitude, 9 1/4-length winner of the Iowa Derby on July 5, worked a half-mile in 51.41 seconds Saturday morning over the Oklahoma training as he begins preparations for a start in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes. Magnitude, working just after the track opened at 5:30 a.m. went in fractions of 13.44, 26.15, and galloped out five furlongs in 1:05.37.
Magnitude is nominated to the Jim Dandy, but trainer Steve Asmussen said the horse would simply be pointed to the Travers.
“He’s a beautiful mover and came out of the Iowa Derby in good shape,” Asmussen told NYRA publicity. “We’re just concentrating on him, and I think it’s obviously a very deep and talented group of 3-year-olds. Our responsibility is how Magnitude is doing, and we’re just extremely excited about how he’s traveling and how he looks right now.”
The 2-year-old Romeo, winner of the Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 29, worked a half-mile in 51.96 seconds over the Oklahoma training track. It was his first work since being transferred to Asmussen following a purchase of him for $1.7 million by Mahmud Mouni out of the Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing of Age sale.
“It’s just him getting familiar with us and us getting familiar with him,” Asmussen told NYRA publicity.
Romeo will most likely be pointed to the Grade 1 Hopeful here on Sept. 1.
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