Guillot says Laoban is ready to go in Travers 2016

After breezing five furlongs in 59.77 seconds on the main track Saturday - the fastest of 32 at the distance - Southern Equine Stable's Jim Dandy winner Laoban cooled out well, reported trainer Eric Guillot this morning and is on target for the 2016 Travers Stakes.

Stablemates Anaximandros and Applicator will breeze in company on Monday on Saratoga Race Course's main track, trainer Mikhail Yanakov said Sunday morning, as they prepare for their respective engagements in the Grade 1 Travers and the Grade 1 Longines Sword Dancer on Saturday.

Anaximandros will work at the Spa for the first time since arriving from Gulfstream Park last week, as will Applicator, who coming off a seventh-place finish in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational on July 9.

The Russian-born Yanakov is in his second year as a trainer in the United States. He also is the owner of Olympia Star, Inc., which has 15 horses, all of whom he trains. He said the chance to compete at a high level in prestigious races was the main factor in coming to North America, as well as a chance to prove himself.

"In Russia, when you win races, they only give you flowers," Yanakov said. "It's more interesting here. I hope something happens, because I'm only starting."

Leonel Reyes, who is in his first year as a jockey in the United States, is set to ride Anaximandros and Applicator. Reyes, a 29-year-old who won nearly 1,400 races in his native Venezuela, has two graded stakes starts on his resume, including Applicator's performance at Belmont Park and was aboard Anaximandros when the 3-year-old bay colt finished fourth in the Grade 2 West Virginia Derby on August 6.

Yanakov said the 1 ¼-mile Travers could be a better fit for Anaximandros, who was unraced as a 2-year-old and broke his maiden on May 20 at Gulfstream.