Travers is next after Unmatched Wisdom wins Curlin Stakes

Unmatched Wisdom led from gate to wire to remain undefeated, winning at Saratoga in Friday’s listed $135,000 Curlin, a 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-olds who had not won a graded stakes of at least one mile this year.

Trainer Chad Brown said his newly minted stakes winner is a likely candidate for the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on Aug. 24.

“I'd say so, if he comes out of the race good. He's only run three times, but as he's playing catchup you have other 3-year-olds that are accumulating a lot of races and a lot of workouts, and a little bit of wear and tear,” Brown said. “If he can keep developing and playing catchup and a few of the other top ones regress just a bit, he could be in the mix.”

Owned by Klaravich Stable, Unmatched Wisdom was making his third career start after a pair of impressive races against elders at Belmont at the Big A, winning by 6 1/4 lengths going one mile in his May 10 debut and 5 3/4 lengths in a nine-furlong allowance on June 22.

Seth Klarman of Klaravich was in agreement with Brown regarding the Travers. “It’s the logical step, but let’s see how he’s doing and who else is in it. It’s probably a good fit,” Klarman said. “Chad and I would love to win the Travers, cross that off the bucket list.”

Unmatched Wisdom, ridden by Flavien Prat, broke from post 1 and was immediately hustled to the front. He held a clear lead over his five rivals with longshot Catire Vizcaya tracking 1 1/2 lengths back from second position through an opening quarter-mile in 23.58 seconds over the fast track.

“He broke a little sluggish and after that, the trip was good,” Prat said. “It was very comfortable and turning for home, he made a good run.”

Entering the far turn, Catire Vizcaya relinquished his stalking position and it was Corporate Power to challenge the pacesetter as three-quarters elapsed in 1:12.66.

Unmatched Wisdom was given his toughest test to date from a game Corporate Power, but he had enough in reserve to win by one length with a final time of 1:50.70.

It was three lengths back to Timeout who closed for show honors, with Django and Elephants Ear completing the order of finish. Catire Vizcaya was eased to the finish.

Bred in Kentucky by a group led by the estate of Harvey Clarke, Paul Braverman and Sebastian Murat, Unmatched Wisdom banked $74,250 in victory while improving his record to 3: 3-0-0. He returned $2.80 for a $2 win bet as the 2-5 favorite.