Haskell Invitational (G1) hero COIL (Point Given), expected to be a principal
player in the $1 million Travers (G1) on August 27, arrived at Bob Baffert’s barn at Saratoga Race Course on Tuesday morning at 10:30
a.m. (EDT).
With Baffert’s groom, Salvador Rangel, overseeing the travel from Monmouth
Park, Coil settled in easily for 20 minutes of walking before being set up in a
stall shortly before 11 a.m. The Mike Pegram-owned was joined on the van ride
from Monmouth Park by Irrefutable (Unbridled’s Song), who finished sixth as the
favorite in Sunday’s Teddy Drone S.
“He looks good to me,” said trainer John Terranova, husband of Baffert’s New
York assistant, Tonja Terranova.
Coil begins his preparations for the “Midsummer Derby” as one of the rising
stars in the three-year-old division. In the Haskell, he changed his tactics
from pace-presser to late closer and put away Preakness (G1) winner Shackleford
(Forestry) in the late stages to win by a neck.
The chestnut will aim to duplicate his sire’s feat by winning the Haskell and
then the Travers.
“The Travers is a strong possibility if I like what I see these next couple
of weeks,” Baffert said on Monday. “That distance should not be a problem for
him with his new running style.”
Baffert’s promising three-year-old filly American Lady (Stormy Atlantic), who
exits an allowance romp at Hollywood Park on June 30, is scheduled to arrive
Thursday for her stakes debut, Saturday’s $250,000 Test (G1) at seven furlong.
The Hall of Fame trainer is also responsible for The Factor (War Front), who
remains a possibility for the $250,000 Kings Bishop (G1), a seven-furlong race
on Travers Day. The Factor could square off two-year-old champion Uncle Mo
(Indian Charlie) in that spot.
Baffert is expected at Saratoga sometime this weekend for the races and will
attend the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale on August 8-9.