Stewart Still Feels Good About Golden Soul

Looking forward to what could be an exciting Saturday afternoon, trainer Dallas Stewart took time to attend a Cajun cookout at neighbor Eric Guillot's barn Friday morning.

Stewart will send out Kentucky Derby runner-up Golden Soul in the Grade 1 Travers, and 3-year-old filly Irish Lute in the Grade 1, $500,000 Test.

"We're ready. This is our job," Stewart said. "This is what we do. It's exciting, but we're going over there to get the job done."

Since closing to within 2 ½ lengths of Orb in the Kentucky Derby, where he finished ahead of Travers rivals Verrazano, Palace Malice and Will Take Charge, Golden Soul was ninth in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes and last of seven in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational.

"I feel as good about him as I ever have," Stewart said. "For some strange reason, the [Haskell] didn't work. He ran bad, but he came back solid. Every day was a solid day of training. His appetite was great. He put on weight. He looks magnificent. We think his energy's good. All systems are 'go' for him."

Golden Soul was beaten by Palace Malice and Orb in the Belmont, finishing one spot ahead of Will Take Charge, and was handily defeated by Verrazano in the Haskell.

"You've got to try them. They're the best, top horses, all the way around," Stewart said. "This is where we're at. If you don't get any of the Triple Crown races, this is your next stop. This is the next big one. This is what you dream about."

In two career graded stakes starts, Irish Lute was third in the Grade 3 Eight Belles and, most recently, third in the Grade 1 Prioress at the Spa on July 27.

"She's doing excellent; right on," Stewart said. "She's ready to go."