Early Travers Move for Rattlesnake Bridge

With an eye on the weather, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin called an audible and worked Rattlesnake Bridge one day earlier than planned for next Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Travers.

Going out after the break with exercise rider Danny Wright in the irons, Rattlesnake Bridge went five furlongs in company this morning with stablemate Fact. NYRA clockers timed Rattlesnake Bridge in 1:00.68 and Fact in 1:00.97, the second- and third-fastest of 15 at the distance.

McLaughlin caught Rattlesnake Bridge , winner of the Long Branch at Monmouth Park on July 9 last time out, galloping out six furlongs in 1:14.

“We’ve been watching the weather the last couple of days, and I’m not sleeping great at night worrying about rain, rain, rain, scattered thundershowers,” said McLaughlin, who trains the gray son of Tapit for Mill House. “So we decided to work this morning at 8:45. He galloped out strong, and we’re very pleased.

“It was a great work, and we can sleep tonight,” he added.