Travelin Man Cuts Back in Woody Stephens

Travelin Man, trained by Todd Pletcher for E. Paul Robsham Stables LLC, will cut back in distance as the likely favorite in the Grade 2, $250,000 Woody Stephens, presented by VisitNassauCounty.com. The 3-year-old Trippi colt was impressive in winning the seven-furlong Grade 2 Swale at Gulfstream Park on April 3 before faltering to finish sixth in the one-mile Grade 3 Derby Trial at Churchill Downs on April 30. He worked four furlongs in 47:50 Sunday morning at Belmont, third fastest of 63 at the distance.

“Travelin Man worked well this morning and is on schedule,” said Pletcher. “We’re drawing a line through that last race. We don’t think he liked the surface there. I don’t think it mattered the other day that is was a mile. He wasn’t going to win, no matter how far it was.”

Also coming out of the Derby Trial to run in the seven-furlong Woody Stephens will be J J’s Lucky Train, who won the Grade 3 Bay Shore at Aqueduct over the same distance on April 9 before finishing third at Churchill.

Also expected for the race is multiple graded-placed Justin Phillip, stakes winner Arch Traveler, and allowance winner Derivative. Listed as possibles are Coil, Little Drama, Runflatout, and Vee’s Accolade.