McLaughlin proud and puzzled by Travers Day stakes performances

Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin was both proud and puzzled by the performances of his stakes trio on Saturday's Travers Day program.

Shadwell Stable's Takaful, seeking his first graded stakes victory, was in front through a brisk half-mile in 45.05 seconds before giving up the lead to eventual winner Practical Joke in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial.

The sophomore son of champion Bernardini wound up beaten just 1 ¼ lengths but was 1 ¾ lengths ahead of multiple graded-stakes winner American Anthem in third. Takaful also finished ahead of graded winners Coal Front and Wild Shot and multiple stakes winner Ann Arbor Eddie.

"Takaful ran great," McLaughlin said, "second-best to a multiple Grade 1 winner. We were happy with our run. We're not sure where we'll run back, but we're proud of him. He ran well."

McLaughlin also praised the effort of Godolphin's Grade 1 winner Dickinson, who set a moderate pace of 24.34 and 48.92 seconds and was still in front approaching the stretch of the Grade 2 Ballston Spa before being overtaken by five-time Grade 1-winning multi-millionaire Lady Eli. Beaten 1 ½ lengths, the 5-year-old mare held on by a neck for second.

"Dickinson ran great, second-best to a great filly at equal weights," he said. "It was a shame they went the second half so fast. They went the first half in 48 and four and the second half in 45 flat; that's crazy. That hurt us, but she ran great. We'll see what we do from here, but she came out of it in great shape."

The trainer had no explanation for Shadwell's Fayeq, the late-developing 3-year-old who was eased to the wire in the Grade 1 Travers - his stakes debut - after being urged along in mid-pack from post 12 before giving way.