Trappe Shot's connections opt for Travers

By David Grening
8/25/10 9:24 AM
ESPN

Haskell Invitational runner-up Trappe Shot was entered in Saturday's $1 million Travers Stakes, drew post 2, and was installed as the 4-1 second choice on the morning line behind Jim Dandy winner A Little Warm.

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Haskell Invitational runner-up Trappe Shot was entered in Saturday's $1 million Travers Stakes, drew post 2, and was installed as the 4-1 second choice on the morning line behind Jim Dandy winner A Little Warm, who drew post 5 and was made the 7-2 favorite by New York Racing Association linemaker Eric Donovan.

A field of 11 3-year-olds was entered for the Travers, run at 1 1/4 miles. That included Jim Dandy runner-up Miner's Reserve, who drew the rail. Prior to the draw, trainer Nick Zito said he and owner Robert LaPenta wanted to look at the race before committing to running.

Zito also went in the Travers with Ice Box, the Kentucky Derby runner-up, and Fly Down, the Belmont Stakes runner-up, who drew posts 6 and 8, respectively.

Super Saver, the Kentucky Derby winner, drew post 11 and was installed as the 6-1 co-third choice along with Afleet Express

Owners and Nicholas and Jim Brady of Mill House and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin contemplated running Trappe Shot in the Grade 1, $250,000 King's Bishop at seven furlongs on the same card, but in the end opted to take a shot in the 1 1/4-mile Travers.

Trappe Shot has not won beyond 1 1/16 miles and arguably his best performance was a first-level allowance win going seven furlongs on Belmont Stakes Day. He won the Long Branch at 1 1/16 miles at Monmouth before finishing second, beaten four lengths to Lookin At Lucky in the Haskell Invitational at 1 1/8 miles.

"He had all kinds of trouble against Lookin At Lucky and he's not in there,'' McLaughlin said. "A mile and an eighth to a mile and quarter isn't a big deal. Turning back [in distance] has been successful for many people out of the Haskell, but we'd like to take a shot. That was what the decision was; it was a close call but we decided to take a shot in the Travers. Obviously, when we go in the gate we'd be on of the choices. Discreetly Mine is 3 -5 in the [King's Bishop]; there wont be anybody lower than 2-1 in the Travers.''


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