Haskell 1st or train to Travers? Team Mage will decide Tuesday

The connections of Kentucky Derby winner Mage will decide on Tuesday whether to run the son of Good Magic next in the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Stakes on July 23 at Monmouth Park or train up to a start in the colt's ultimate summer goal, the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 26, co-owner Ramiro Restrepo confirmed Friday.

"We just want to wait until Tuesday to make sure that he looks good enough to perform against a serious bunch of horses like Arabian Knight, Tapit Trice, Geaux Rocket Ride & Co.," Restrepo said via text shortly after Mage drilled six furlongs in 1:13.4 at The Thoroughbred Center. "If we think he needs more time, we'll just ship to Saratoga and train straight to the Travers."

"With our ultimate summer goal being the Travers, we've been looking at all the options available to get him to peak and hopefully give his top effort at Saratoga," he said.

Mage has compiled a record of 5: 2-1-1 and earned nearly $2.29 million for owners OGMA Investments, Sterling Racing, CMNWLTH and Restrepo. The colt was purchased by OGMA Investments for $290,000 at the Fasig-Tipton 2-year-olds in training sale in May 2022.