McPeek puts Signalman on course for Travers Stakes

Kenny McPeek’s barn will continue playing in the top flight of 3-year-old colts this summer when his Grade 2 winner Signalman heads to Saratoga.

“He’s doing well,” the trainer said, “and at this point, I think a Jim Dandy-Travers run — he deserves a shot at that.”

Second to the rising star Mr. Money last time in Churchill Downs’ Matt Winn (G3), Signalman has worked twice since then, turning in a half-mile breeze Friday in 48.80 seconds under the Twin Spires.

The July 27 Jim Dandy is a Grade 2, $600,000 race at 1 1/8 miles. The Aug. 24 Travers, the Spa’s Grade 1, $1.25 million meet feature, goes at the classic 10 furlongs.

Signalman, by General Quarters, last visited the winner’s circle in November when edging out Plus Que Parfait in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2). He was seventh in Gulfstream Park’s Fountain of Youth (G2), third in Keeneland’s Blue Grass (G2) and ninth in the Preakness Stakes before the Matt Winn finish 6 1/2 lengths back of Mr. Money.

“He’s going to like a little slower racetrack,” McPeek said, with Signalman a second out maiden winner last summer at Saratoga. “I think he wants a racetrack that they grind through a bit, and I’m not sure that some of the tracks he’s caught — they worked against him a little bit.”

Gulfstream surely carries that reputation, while Signalman ran against a noted speed bias in the Blue Grass. Mr. Money pulled away in the Matt Winn after pressing a moderate pace.

McPeek also has graded winner Cairo Cat back on the work tab, and he’s “undecided” on where Holy Bull (G2) hero Harvey Wallbanger will appear next, mentioning the July 13 American Derby (G3) at Arlington Park is a possibility. It would represent the Congrats colt’s turf debut.