Mid Ocean Might Swim With Big Fish in Travers
Add Bermuda Limestone Thoroughbreds' Mid Ocean to the list of contenders for the Grade 1 Travers, Saratoga Race Course's centerpiece event on August 29.
Trainer George Weaver said Thursday morning he is considering the gelded bay son of 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft for the Travers, which drew a total of 16 nominations.
"Mid Ocean is doing well and coming off a couple of good races," Weaver said. "We nominated to the Travers with the idea that we just might take a shot. Who knows where he stacks up. He's got to jump up big time to be in the same zip code, but we wanted to be in position to take a shot if that's what it comes down to."
The addition of Mid Ocean brings the number of horses possible for the Travers to 11, led by Triple Crown champion American Pharoah. A decision on whether American Pharoah runs won't come until after he works Sunday morning at Del Mar.
Should American Pharoah run, the purse for the Travers will increase from $1.25 million to $1.6 million. Prize money is paid out to the first eight finishers, with eighth place worth $25,000 or $45,000.
"We're going to consider it either way, if Pharoah runs or not," Weaver said. "It's just like what we do with all these horses. We try to get an idea of how the race is going to shape up and make a decision of whether or not it's the right thing to do with the horse at that time as you get closer.
"The horse is doing well. He's been running mid-80 Beyer figures and just a little bit more puts him on the map to get a check in there," he added. "I love American Pharoah. We're definitely not thinking that we can beat him or be anywhere in the same zip code as him, but after you get past him and a couple of others, it's not inconceivable that this horse could get a check in there."
After struggling over the winter in south Florida, Mid Ocean has faced older horses in each of his last two starts, both maiden special weights at 1 1/16 miles. He was third July 4 at Monmouth Park before breaking through with a rallying, 6 ½-length score 10 days later at Delaware Park.
Mid Ocean shows two works at Saratoga this month, and Weaver said he will have another breeze either Saturday or Sunday.
"He's always been kind of lazy and doesn't put a lot into what he does. His last couple races have given us an indication that he's kind of figuring it out," Weaver said. "He's the right type of horse [for the Travers]. He'll be running at the end and he'll like the distance. I told the owner, 'Let's nominate, at least, and see how things shape up as it comes up.' It's just something we're going to consider."
Others being considered for the 1 1/4-mile Travers are Frammento, Frosted, Keen Ice, King of New York, Madefromlucky, Smart Transition, Tale of Verve, Texas Red and Upstart.
Source: NYRA Communications