Smart Transition Works Toward Possible Travers Start
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Photo:
Adam Mooshian/NYRA
Curlin Stakes winner Smart Transition worked Sunday morning toward a possible start in the Travers for trainer John Shirreffs and owner Arnold Zetcher.
With Junior Alvarado aboard, the bay colt went five furlongs in 1:00.34 over the Saratoga main track, good for the bullet work of 24 at the distance.
"He looked really good," said Shirreffs. "He worked well and Junior said he felt great. He came out of the [Curlin] well and he's continued in his regular training routine."
Coming off a fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 Dwyer at Belmont, Smart Transition seemed to flourish in the Curlin at Saratoga, getting around two turns for the first time since he broke his maiden in April. The son of Smart Strike tracked the early pace before drawing off to a 4 ¾-length victory.
According to Shirreffs, the decision to run in the Travers will be weighed "mostly" by how Smart Transition is doing and not American Pharoah's status for the race.
"I'll talk to Mr. Zetcher a little closer to the race. He's looking forward to the Travers, so I think if everything goes according to the way we hope it will, we should run there," said Shirreffs.
Source: NYRA Communications
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