Roman Ruler preps for Travers

Roman Ruler will hope to make it three in a row in the Travers  (Michael J. Marten/Horsephotos.com)

ROMAN RULER (Fusaichi Pegasus), prepping for the 1 1/4-mile Travers S. (G1)
on August 27, sizzled four furlongs in a bullet :45 4/5 over a fast track at
Saratoga on Tuesday. The drill was the fastest of 33 at the distance.

After being plagued by foot problems earlier this year, Roman Ruler returned
to action with an impressive half-length victory in the Dwyer S. (G2) at Belmont
Park on Independence Day. The Bob Baffert trainee followed that up with a game 1
1/4-length score in the nine-furlong Haskell Invitational H. (G1) at Monmouth
Park on August 7. Overall, Roman Ruler has compiled a record
of five wins in eight starts and $1,020,800 in earnings.

Other probables for the Travers include the first three finishers from the
Jim Dandy S. (G2) on July 30 — FLOWER ALLEY (Distorted Humor), REVERBERATE
(Thunder Gulch) and ANDROMEDA’S HERO (Fusaichi Pegasus) — as well as Northern
Dancer Breeders’ Cup S. (G3) winner DON’T GET MAD (Stephen Got Even).

Flower Alley, trained by Todd Pletcher, finished second to Roman Ruler in the
Dwyer prior to winning the nine-furlong Jim Dandy by a widening 5 1/4 lengths.

Haskell Runner-up SUN KING (Charismatic), Grade 2-placed GOLDEN MAN (Suave Prospect) and
maiden winner A.
P. ARROW (A.P. Indy) are also under consideration for the 136th running of the
Travers.

The Travers Day program also includes the $250,000 King’s Bishop S. (G1) for
three-year-olds at seven furlongs; the $250,000 Hopeful S. (G1) for
two-year-olds, also at seven furlongs; and the
$200,000 Fourstardave H. (G2) for three-year-olds and up at a mile and a
sixteenth on the turf.

Undefeated sprint sensation LOST IN THE FOG (Lost Soldier) is expected to run
in the King’s Bishop. The dark bay was scheduled to arrive at the Spa on Tuesday.