Report: 'Temptation,' but no Travers Stakes for Mr. Money

In the wake of Thursday's news that both Maximum Security and Game winner will bypass the Aug. 24 Travers Stakes (G1), Saratoga's $1.25 million Mid-Summer Derby may have some new takers.

Mr. Money, who has won four straight races at the Grade 3 level, won't be among them.

Trainer Bret Calhoun told Horse Racing Nation partner The Pressbox, run by Gene McLean, that there's "always temptation" to jump back into the mix. But Mr. Money remains pointed to the Sept. 21 Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing.

A son of Goldencents, Mr. Money has won the Pat Day Mile, Matt Winn Stakes, Indiana Derby and West Virginia Derby in succession and with ease this season to emerge as one of the nation's top 3-year-olds. When he'd be tested at the Grade 1 level again -- it's been since the Breeders' Cup Juvenile -- was the subject of much discussion between Calhoun and Chester Thomas, who campaigns Mr. Money under the Allied Racing banner.

Coming back in the Travers from a stroll in the Indiana Derby was debated, but a $500,000 purse and heavy favoritism lured Mr. Money to Mountaineer, where he romped in the West Virginia Derby. Calhoun has also called an increase to 1 1/4 miles in the Travers "the big unknown."

The next test, Calhoun told The Pressbox, looms as "the race of the summer" with Maximum Security, Preakness Stakes winner War of Will and other top horses pointing to the 1 1/8-mile Pennsylvania Derby.

For a number of Pennsylvania Derby contenders, the event could lead to facing older competition in the Breeders' Cup Classic. Thomas, who also owns the Louisiana Derby (G2) winner By My Standards, has said he doesn't intend to run his horses this year at host track Santa Anita Park.