Winchell Thoroughbreds' beaten Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite Epicenter proved his prowess against the nation's top 3-year-olds Saturday in the $1.25 million Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga, taking the “Mid-Summer Derby” from pacesetter Cyberknife.
Getting a stalking trip under Joel Rosario, the Not This Time colt was up to challenge Cyberknife in early stretch, then shook free to tally by 5 1/4 lengths while posting his first win at the top level and providing trainer Steve Asmussen his first Travers victory.
Cyberknife, track record-setting winner of the TVG Haskell Invitational (G1) July 23 at Monmouth, hung on for second, an nose in front of Zandon in third. Kentucky Derby victor Rich Strike was a gallant fourth, a neck back.
The even-money favorite in the eight-horse field, Epicenter covered 1 1/4 miles in 2:00.72 on a fast track.
Runner-up in the Kentucky Derby, beaten three-quarters of a length by Rich Strike, and a closing second to Early Voting in the Preakness (G1), Epicenter entered off victory in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy July 30 at Saratoga. He became the 12th horse to sweep the Jim Dandy-Travers double
Epicenter, who is out of the Candy Ride mare Silent Candy, returned $4.
The post Epicenter Dominates Fellow 3YOs With Open-Lengths Travers Win appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
