Ride On Curlin freshened after Triple Crown races

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Among the most frequent players during the Triple Crown series this year, California Chrome isn’t the only notable name missing from the Travers Stakes lineup Saturday at Saratoga.

Ride On Curlin, one of just three horses to compete in all three 2014 Triple Crown events, also is far from the Travers fray, having been turned out in Kentucky about Aug. 1, according to Churchill Downs-based trainer Billy Gowan.

“He’s set to come back to the track this weekend after about three weeks at my farm in Shepherdsville,” said Gowan. “We’ve got him back to feeling good. I feel like he’s ready to come back and be himself again. He was pretty knocked out. He wasn’t right, just walking with his head down, but the time off has done him real well.”

Owned by Louisville businessman Dan Dougherty, Ride On Curlin ran seventh in the Kentucky Derby and second in the Preakness before being eased in the June 7 Belmont Stakes. Gowan, whose stable has expanded to 10 horses, breezed the colt just once following the Belmont before turning him out.

“I haven’t thought far enough ahead as to what his next race might be,” said Gowan. “I want to see where we are with him first.”

Gowan said he and Dougherty have fielded numerous inquiries from breeding farms but that no deal has been reached. Ride On Curlin, a $25,000 yearling purchase, is by Curlin out of Magical Ride, the first foal of Grade 1 winner Victory Ride.

Besides Ride On Curlin and Derby and Preakness winner California Chrome, the only other horse to run in all three Triple Crown events this year was General a Rod, no better than fourth in any of those races.