Axelrod to bypass Travers 2018, headline Smarty Jones Stakes

A day before entries were to be taken for the 2018 Travers Stakes, Axelrod, a contender on the fence for Saratoga's Grade 1, $1.25 million meet feature, was instead pointed to a softer spot.

Trainer Michael McCarthy confirmed the last-out Indiana Derby will go in Parx Racing's Grade 3, $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes, an event that a year ago put eventual classic division contender Pavel on the map. The race also serves as a local prep for the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby on Sept. 22.

A son of Warrior's Reward, Axelrod will take on seven in the Smarty Jones, including a pair of names from the Triple Crown series: Kentucky Derby runner Flameaway and Diamond King, who competed in the Preakness Stakes.

Post time is 4:18 p.m. ET Saturday.

Axelrod is campaigned by Slam Dunk Racing, which made good on the $25,000 purchase when he tracked down Trigger Warning in the final strides of the Indiana Derby, winning by a head back on July 14. The victory improved the colt's record to 3-1-1 in eight starts with earnings of $360,925, according to Equibase.

Axelrod will ship in from the West Coast, where he last worked five furlongs Friday at Del Mar in 1:01.60.