• Shadwell Stable's MGSW Mohaymen (Tapit) breezed four furlongs in a snappy :47.33 (1/74) over the Saratoga main track Friday as he prepares for that venue's GI Travers S. Aug. 27. The grey was most recently a disappointing fourth as the favorite after a slow start in the GII Jim Dandy S. July 30. “He worked well,” said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. “We were happy with the way he did it. [Exercise rider Rob Massey] said he never felt better. We're under the radar, and hopefully we'll stay there.”
As for what might have contributed to the $2.2-million KEESEP co-topper's effort last time, McLaughlin said, “I don't have an explanation for that. Funny track? Funny result? But all is well. He's put on some weight since the race, and he's just doing really well.”
• Hall of Famer Bob Baffert has confirmed that he plans to have two Travers starters in GI Haskell Invitational S. runner-up American Freedom (Pulpit) and flashy 'TDN Rising Star' Arrogate (Unbridled's Song). “I'm going to breeze each of them one more time and as long as they're breezing well, we'll come in that week,” said Baffert, who is looking to avenge a loss with Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) in last year's “Midsummer Derby.”
• Twin Creeks Racing Stables and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' GI Belmont S. runner-up Destin (Giant's Causeway) got in his final drill for the Travers over Saratoga's Oklahoma Training Track Friday morning. The Jim Dandy third-place finisher was clocked in :50 flat (24/43) with a seven-furlong gallop out in 1:29. “I thought he worked very well,” offered conditioner Todd Pletcher. “It was a good, steady breeze similar to what he was doing before the Belmont. It was a good progressive and productive breeze for him.”
• Governor Malibu (Malibu Moon) also breezed four panels on the Oklahoma, going in :50.20 (30/43). “It was a good work,” said Christophe Clement. “[Jockey] Joel [Rosario] reported that the horse felt good, and I'm happy with the way he looked, so as of right now we are still on target.” A troubled-trip fourth in the Belmont, the New York-bred was second behind Laoban (Uncle Mo) in the Jim Dandy.
• Trainer Tom Amoss was still on the fence Friday as to whether or not he would enter last-out Ohio Derby winner Mo Tom (Uncle Mo) in the Travers. Scratched from the GII West Virginia Derby two weeks ago, the often-unlucky colt was the lone worker to cover six furlongs officially on the Oklahoma Friday–he was clocked in 1:15.88. “Everything went fine and it was a good work this morning,” offered Amoss. “As far as a decision on entering the Travers, we'll first see how he comes back from this work tomorrow and decide on if we're entering after talking with the owners.”
• Dallas Stewart's Travers hopeful Forever d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro) breezed in company with his GI King's Bishop S. contender Tom's Ready (More Than Ready)–the pair worked in 1:02.17 (3/9) for five furlongs on the Oklahoma.
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