Mr Speaker targets Travers
Mr Speaker took another step toward a possible start in the $1.25 million Travers Stakes here at Saratoga next month by working four furlongs in 48.88 seconds Saturday over Saratoga’s main track.
It was Mr Speaker’s second work on dirt since he won the Grade 1, $1.25 million Belmont Derby on turf July 5. It was his first work over the main track, having breezed last week over the Oklahoma training track.
Trainer Shug McGaughey said last week that he would give Mr Speaker every opportunity to prove that he belongs in the Travers.
“I thought he went excellent,” said McGaughey, who added that he didn’t work Mr Speaker in company Saturday because “first time going over there, I didn’t want to shake him up.”
Aside from the way Mr Speaker got over the ground, McGaughey was very pleased with how well the horse handled himself on the long walk from his barn on the Oklahoma training track side of the grounds, across the street, and through the paddock.
“I’m seeing a horse that’s maturing,” McGaughey said.
Mr Speaker has won four of nine races, including the Grade 3 Lexington on synthetic and the Belmont Derby. In his only start on dirt, Mr Speaker finished seventh in the Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream.
McGaughey said he planned to work Mr Speaker in company next week, “put him behind horses, let him eat dirt, and go from there. ”