KENSEI (Mr. Greeley), who powered home to a 2 1/4-length victory over
WARRIOR’S REWARD (Medaglia d’Oro) in Saturday’s Jim Dandy (G2), came out of the
race in good shape, according to trainer Steven Asmussen’s assistant Larry
Ulrich.
In his first start around two turns, Kensei stalked Warrior’s Reward through
six furlongs in 1:11.55 and then surged away from the field in the stretch.
“He’ll have a couple of walk days, and Steve will come back here and figure
out where to go with him,” Ulrich said.
Among the options is the 140th running of the $1 million Travers (G1) on
August 29.
Trainer Ian Wilkes is looking toward the Travers for Warrior’s Reward after
the colt exited the Jim Dandy in good shape with his determined second-place
finish to Kensei.
“He ran hard and fast — 1:47 4/5,” Wilkes said, referring to the winner’s
final time. “That’s a tough run. Kensei was just too tough yesterday. I’m
looking forward to the challenge when we meet him. One thing that can be said
about this game — there’s always another race. Hopefully, we can do better the
next time against him.”
The plans for third-place finisher CHARITABLE MAN (Lemon Drop Kid) are up in
the air, said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. The Peter Pan S. (G2) hero raced wide
for most of the race and was beaten by a neck for second.
“He ran well and came of the race in good shape,” McLaughlin said. “I thought
Kensei was the logical favorite to me. We were hung wide and there was a little
bit of bumping going down the backstretch. We’ll have to wait and see what
happens. We’ll see how things are going and who’s going into the race. We have
to look at our options.”
SARATOGA SINNER (Harlan’s Holiday), who stalked the early pace along the rail
and faded badly to last, came out of the race fine, according to trainer Eddie
Kenneally, but will no longer point toward the Travers.
The Jim Dandy was his first start since winning the Holy Bull S. (G3) in
January at Gulfstream Park. In the interim, he had a chip removed from his left
front knee.
“We’ll probably regroup and find a little easier spot than that,” Kenneally
said of the Travers.