Mott: Newly-acquired South Bend 'in good shape' ahead of Travers

In Saturday's Grade 1, $1 milllion Travers Stakes at Saratoga, South Bend will be making a second consecutive start on dirt, after a fast-closing second-place finish in the Ohio Derby (G3) on June 27.

Bill Mott, who recently assumed conditioning of the Algorithms colt for new owners Gary Barber, Wachtel Stable, Peter Deutsch and Pantofel Stable LLC, said he is "doing well. We just received him, he’s a nice horse, came to us in good shape. We’ve breezed him a couple times, he went really well. We’re happy with him, he’s got a great disposition, and a nice horse."

Before the Ohio Derby, South Bend earned minor shares in five straight turf trips while with trainer Stanley Hough. They include a third in the Palm Beach (G3) and a runner-up in the Cutler Bay Stakes, both at Gulfstream Park.

Prior to the turf foray, South Bends first five races were all on dirt with three wins, including the Street Sense at Churchill Downs in October.

Meanwhile, Mott said Frank's Rockette, who was a possibility for Saturday's seven-furlong Test (G1) at Saratoga, instead will wait for the Prioress (G2) at six furlongs on Sept. 5.

"We just wanted to give her a little more time," he said of the Into Mischief filly. "She’s doing fine, we just opted to skip the Test. We’re going to wait for the 6-furlong race, thinking that maybe we have a better chance in there."