Axelrod under consideration for 2018 Travers Stakes

With Grade 3 Indiana Derby winner Axelrod in his career-best form, trainer Michael McCarthy and owner Slam Dunk Racing are considering the 3-year-old colt for the 2018 Travers Stakes on Aug. 25 at Saratoga.

McCarthy said that Axelrod, who is back in Southern California, will work five furlongs on Friday before a decision is made regarding the Grade 1, $1.2 million race. The Warrior’s Reward colt registered his first work back since the Indiana Derby on Aug. 3 at Del Mar, going four furlongs in 49.40.

“[He’s] training with a lot of energy and is eating the bottom out of the feed tub and that kind of stuff, so very pleased,” McCarthy said by phone.

The Travers, run at 1 1/4 miles, would mark the longest race of Axelrod’s race career. Before rallying to a head victory in the Indiana Derby, the colt ran second to Draft Pick in the Grade 3 Affirmed Stakes. Both of those events were at 1 1/16 miles.

“Travers will have obviously six or eight very, very nice horses in it,” McCarthy said. “Good thing is we’re coming in off of a career best with plenty of space in between his last race and that race if we go down that route.”

McCarthy is also keeping other options open. The Grade 3 Smarty Jones runs at Parx the same day as the Travers, and the Grade 3 Super Derby runs at Louisiana Downs on Sept. 2. But the Travers' purse is more alluring than the $300,000 caried by the other two races.

“A million-two, it’s obviously a lot of money,” McCarthy said of the Travers. “A very prestigious race. I don’t think the distance is going to be an issue with him, so we’ll see. We’ll strongly consider it.”

Slam Dunk Racing secured Axelrod for only $25,000 at the 2016 OBS Winter sale, a steal for a horse who has earned $360,925 on the track. The Florida-bred colt currently has three wins from eight career starts.