Derby alumni: Epicenter rolls; 3 set for Jockey Club Gold Cup

Kentucky Derby alumni dominated the Travers (G1) on Saturday, filling the top four slots. Epicenter, second in the Run for the Roses but generally regarded as the most consistent of the top sophomores, ran to his best. He tracked a couple of lengths off the pace, took command in upper stretch and drew off by 5 1/4 lengths. Pacesetter Cyberknife was no match late, but found enough to hold place in a blanket photo, a nose ahead of Zandon. It was another neck back to Rich Strike in fourth.

The only other Kentucky Derby alumnus active on Travers day was Happy Jack, who stepped back up to the top level for the H. Allen Jerkens (G1). He raced toward the rear throughout and only closed up mild ground late, finishing sixth beaten 8 1/2 lengths by leading sophomore sprinter Jack Christopher.

Ethereal Road is expected to appear closing weekend at Saratoga. He tried turf for the first time last out in the Saratoga Derby (G1), where he finished ninth. He will get a class drop on the grass if he makes his expected next start in the Saranac (G3) on Sept. 3.

On Aug. 20, Highly Motivated was sent off the even-money favorite in the Philip H. Iselin (G3) off of his impressive victory in the Monmouth Cup (G3) four weeks before. He was never far from the pace and he battled with long shot Informative into the lane, but Informative had just a little more in the final furlong. Highly Motivated had to settle for second, 1 1/2 lengths behind.

Like the King is expected to stay on grass for his next start. He is entered in Thursday's Tapit Stakes at Kentucky Downs, a one-mile-and-70-yard race restricted to horses who have not won a stakes this year. He drew post No. 3 in an oversubscribed field, with 12 in the main group plus three also-eligible horses.

Keepmeinmind and Dynamic One are both probable for the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) for trainer Todd Pletcher Saturday at Saratoga, which offers a win and you're in berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic. Keepmeinmind steps up from an allowance prep, while his stablemate Dynamic One won the Suburban (G2) last time out and has been a fixture in graded races all year. Brooklyn Strong is possible for that race as well.

The only horse in action from the 2020 Kentucky Derby since the last update was Storm the Court, who dropped to second-level allowance company on Aug. 21 at Del Mar. He was sent off the 27-10 favorite in the one-mile turf race. He stalked the pacesetter and bid to take the lead into the lane, but found himself outfinished through the final furlong and crossed the wire fourth, 1 3/4 lengths behind winner King Cause.

The only horse in the 2019 Kentucky Derby who raced since the last update was Gray Magician. He contested an open $12,500 claiming race at Del Mar on Aug. 20. He made a brief run inside near the half in the one-mile race, but flattened out in the lane to finish seventh beaten 10 1/2 lengths by High Heater.

Tax, most recently seen winning the Battery Park Stakes at Delaware on July 9, is expected to take a sharp step up in class for his second start off of the 17 1/2-month layoff. He is probable for the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga on Saturday.