Tag: saratoga

Chad Brown Arrested in Saratoga on ‘Obstruction of Breathing’ Charge

by Bill Finley & Mike Kane

Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown was arrested Wednesday in Saratoga Springs and charged with criminal obstruction of breathing, a misdemeanor. On Thursday, Brown, who spent the night in jail, entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment and was ordered to reappear in court on Sept. 2. Cash bail was $2,500.

According to the website of attorney Andrew DeLuca, “New York state defines the crime of obstruction of breathing as the intent to impede the normal breathing or circulation of the blood by applying pressure to the throat or neck or blocking the nose or mouth of another person. These charges usually result from domestic incidents between couples.”

Criminal obstruction of breathing is class A misdemeanor. Upon conviction of a class A misdemeanor, a court may sentence an individual to a maximum of one year in jail or three years probation.

According to a handwritten statement from the alleged victim, who was not named, an encounter with Brown turned violent after she entered his house and found him in bed with another female. The statement reads: “On August 17, 2022 at around 11 pm, I went to the house of Chad Brown, my on again off again significant other. I have a key to the house, so I let myself in. I went to his room and saw another female in bed with him. I confronted him on that and he got up and pushed me down some stairs. I fought him down the hallway and he pinned me to the floor and started choking me. He applied pressure to my neck while it was against the floor. I was able to push him off of me and get up. Chad then pushed me out the door and I left and came to the police station.”

Brown was handcuffed while in court and was wearing cargo shorts and a black Pink Floyd t-shirt. According to reporting from Subrina Dhammi of WNYT television, Brown's attorney, Joseph Gerstenzang, told the court that Brown was left with no option but to defend himself after the woman broke into his house. On Twitter, Dhammi wrote that the judge, Francine Vero, did not believe the claims made by Brown's attorney. “This court is not in the business of accusing domestic violence victims,” said the judge, according to Dhammi's report.

Gerstenzang did not return a phone call from the TDN.

Brown entered Wednesday with 27 wins at the meet, making him the leading trainer. He had two horses entered and neither was scratched. Brown was seeking to win the Saratoga title for the fifth time.  In 2020, he set a Saratoga record with 46 wins.

“NYRA is aware of the charges brought against trainer Chad Brown today and will defer additional comment on this matter to the Saratoga Springs Police Department,” said NYRA spokesman Patrick McKenna.

Because the investigation is on-going, police spokesman Sgt. Paul Veitch said he was unable to provide details of the incident, including where it took place and the name of the alleged victim. He did say that Brown and the victim were “acquaintances.”

Additional reporting by Sydney Kass

 

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Weekly Rulings: Aug. 8-14

Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.

With the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) having gone into effect July 1, the TDN will also post a roundup of the relevant HISA-related rulings from the same week.California
Track: Del Mar
Date: 08/11/2022
Licensee:  Derrick Brown, owner
Penalty: Suspension
Violation: Financial responsibility
Explainer: Owner Derrick Brown having failed to respond to written notice to appear before the Board of Stewards at Del Mar Race Track on August 7, 2022, is suspended for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1547 (Failure to Appear) pending an appearance at a hearing before the Board of Stewards to answer to charges alleging violation of CHRB rule #1876 (Financial Responsibility – $1,474.00 to KC Horse Transport). Suspension to commence on August 18, 2022. During the term of this suspension, all licenses and license privileges of DERRICK BROWN are suspended and pursuit to California Horse Racing Board rule #1528 (Jurisdiction of Stewards), subject is denied access to all premises in this jurisdiction.Track: Del Mar
Date: 08/11/2022
Licensee:  Joe Bravo, jockey
Penalty:  One-day suspension, $876 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Having violated the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2280 (Use of Riding Crop) and pursuant to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2282 (Riding Crop Violations and Penalties – Class 3), Jockey Joe Bravo, who rode CABO SPIRIT in the fifth race (La Jolla Handicap) at Del Mar Race Track Aug. 7, is suspended for one (1) day (Aug. 18), and fined $876.00 for two (2) strikes over the limit. Furthermore, Jockey Joe Bravo is assigned three (3) violation points that will be expunged on February 11, 2023, six (6) months from the date of final adjudication pursuant to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2282 (Riding Crop Violations and Penalties). Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races.

Track: Del Mar
Date: 08/12/2022
Licensee: Tyler Baze, jockey
Penalty: $1,000 fine
Violation: Failure to fulfil jockey agreement
Explainer: Jockey Tyler Baze who was scheduled to ride six races on August 11, 2022 at Del Mar Race Track is fined $1,000.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1872 (Failure to Fulfill Jockey Agreement).

Track: Del Mar
Date: 08/13/2022
Licensee:  Abdul Alsagoor, jockey
Penalty: Two-day suspension, $250 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Having violated the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2280 (Use of Riding Crop) and pursuant to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Rule #2282 (Riding Crop Violations and Penalties – Class 3), Apprentice Jockey Abdul Alsagoor, who rode I'M NO BALLERINA in the fifth race at Del Mar Racetrack Aug. 12, is suspended for TWO (2) days (Aug. 20 & 21, 2022), and fined $250.00 for one (1) strike over the limit and using the crop persistently even though the horse is not responding.
Furthermore, Apprentice Jockey Abdul Alsagoor is assigned three (3) violation points that will be expunged Feb. 13, 2023, six (6) months from the date of final adjudication pursuant to Horseracing Integrity and Safety AuthorityRule #2282 (Riding Crop Violations and Penalties- second offense since July 3, 2022). Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races.

Florida
The following were only recently posted on the Association of Racing Commissioners International's “Recent Rulings” website and are not timely.

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 07/12/2022
Licensee: Jose Francisco D'Angelo
Penalty: $1,000 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: STEWARD'S RULING FINAL ORDER # 2022-001835 – F.S. 550.2415 VIOLATION = DRUG: 5-HYDROXYDANTROLENE. “BRODY'S HONOR” 7/29/2022 – $1000 FINE PAID TO GULFSTREAM PARK BOARD OF RELIEF.

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 06/30/2022
Licensee: Jorge Navarro, trainer
Penalty: License revocation
Violation: Trainer responsibility
Explainer: STIPULATION AND CONSENT ORDER # 2018-011133 – F.A.C. RULE 61D-2.023(7)(C) VIOLATION = FAILURE TO TIMELY NOTIFY THE DIVISION OF THE DEATH OF A RACEHORSE. LICENSE REVOKED AND INELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR LICENSE FOR 3 YEARS. “SISTINE SISTA”

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 05/31/2022
Licensee: Larry Rivelli, trainer
Penalty: $100 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: STEWARD'S RULING FINAL ORDER # 2022-012195 – F.S. 550.2415 VIOLATION = XYLAZINE. $100 FINE IMPOSED AND PAYABLE TO THE GSP/BOR. “SENOR JOBIM”

New York
Track: Saratoga
Date: 08/10/2022
Licensee: Javier Castellano, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Mr. Javier Castellano is hereby suspended three (3) NYRA racing days, this for careless riding during the running of the eight race Aug. 3, having appealed a stay has been granted.

Track: Saratoga
Date: 08/10/2022
Licensee: Trevor McCarthy, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Mr. Trevor McCarthy is hereby suspended three (3) NYRA racing days. This for careless riding during the twelfth race at Saratoga Racecourse on Aug. 6, having appealed a stay has been granted.

Track: Saratoga
Date: 08/12/2022
Licensee: Dylan Davis, jockey
Penalty: Nine-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: For having waived his right to appeal Jockey Mr. Dylan Davis is hereby suspended seven (7) NYRA racing days. Effective Aug, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 7th race at Saratoga Racecourse on Aug. 10.

Kentucky
Track: Ellis Park
Date: 08/07/2022
Licensee: Norman Cash, trainer and owner
Penalty: Forty-five day suspension, $500 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Upon receipt of notification from Industrial Laboratories, the official testing laboratory for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and confirmed at Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, sample number E496505 taken from Matt's Honey, who finished third in the third race at Churchill Downs Nov. 5, 2021 contained D-Methamphetamine in blood (Class A). After a formal hearing before the Board of Stewards and after consideration of testimony and evidence presented, Norman Cash is hereby suspended 45 days and fined $500. Twenty days are to be served Aug. 27, 2022, through Sept. 15, 2022 (inclusive). The remaining 25 days are stayed on condition no Class A or Class B medication violations occur in any racing jurisdiction within 365 days from the date of this ruling.

NEW HISA STEWARDS RULINGS

Note: While HISA has shared these rulings over the past week, some of them originate from prior weeks.

Violations of Crop Rule
Gulfstream Park
Edgar Perez – ruling date August 7, 2022
Edgar Perez – ruling date August 13, 2022

Arapahoe
Adrian Ramos – ruling date August 14, 2022

California State Fair
Elvin Roman – ruling date July 24, 2022

Penn National
Ricardo Chiappe – ruling date August 11, 2022
Pedro Requena – ruling date August 12, 2022

Ellis Park
Martin Garcia – ruling date August 7, 2022

Arizona Downs
Francisco Garla – ruling date August 8, 2022
Devon Ellis – ruling date August 6, 2022

Evangeline Downs
Louis Stokes – ruling date August 11, 2022

Delaware Park
Augusto Marin – ruling date August 6, 2022
John Bisono – ruling date August 9, 2022
John Bisono – ruling date August 12, 2022
Carol Cedeno – ruling date August 12, 2022
Xavier Perez – ruling date August 12, 2022
Everton Smith – ruling date August 12, 2022

Prairie Meadows
Glenn Corbett – ruling date August 12, 2022
Glenn Corbett – ruling date August 12, 2022
Wilmer Garcia – ruling date August 13, 2022
Kevin Roman – ruling date August 13, 2022

Albuquerque Downs (New Mexico)
Oscar Cebollas – ruling date August 10, 2022
Kelsi Purcell – ruling date August 10, 2022
Luis Ramon Rodriguez – ruling date August 10, 2022

Mountaineer Park
Eric Barbaran – ruling date August 6, 2022
Andrew Ramgeet – ruling date August 7, 2022
Luciano Hernandez – ruling date August 8, 2022
Luciano Hernandez – ruling date August 14, 2022
Marco Camaque – ruling date August 14, 2022
Alex Gonzalez – ruling date August 14, 2022

Horseshoe Indianapolis
Santo Sanjur – ruling date August 9, 2022
(NOTE: This marks Sanjur's 4th ruling, resulting in an accumulation of 12 points and a 7-day suspension)
Marcelino Pedroza – ruling date August 9, 2022
Edgar Morales – ruling date August 10, 2022

Saratoga
Kendrick Carmouche – ruling date August 12, 2022
Jose Gomez – ruling date August 12, 2022
Nazario Alvarado – ruling date August 13, 2022
Nazario Alvarado – ruling date August 13, 2022
Luis Cardenas – ruling date August 13, 2022
Luis Cardenas – ruling date August 14, 2022
Dylan Davis – ruling date August 14, 2022

Violations of Horseshoe Rule
Saratoga
Empress Isabel – ruling date August 7, 2022

Violations Involving Forfeiture of Purse
Delaware Park: John Marceda – owner – purse redistribution (owner of horse ridden by Augusto Marin)
Delaware Park: Augusto Marin – 10 strikes – $500 fine, three-day suspension, five points, purse redistribution (jockey of horse owned by John Marceda)
Delaware Park: John Bisono – t10 strikes – $500 fine; three-day suspension; five points, horse disqualified from third-place purse (jockey of horse owned by Everton Smith)
Delaware Park: Everton Smith – 10 strikes – Redistribute purse money from third place purse (owner of horse ridden by John Bisono)
Appeal Request Updates

Delaware Park:
Owner John A. Marceda
Crop rule violation August 6, 2022
Appeal for purse disqualification
Appeal filed August 9, 2022

Gulfstream Park:
Ailsa Morrison
Crop rule violation July 29, 2022
Appeal filed August 9, 2022

Gulfstream Park:
Edwin Gonzalez
Crop rule violation July 31, 2022
Appeal filed August 9, 2022

Gulfstream Park: Alisa Morrison
Crop rule violation July 29, 2022
Appeal filed August 9, 2022
Stay granted August 12, 2022

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Racing and Gaming Conference Focus Shifts to Horse Racing’s Future

By Scott Finley

After an opening day of casino and conventional gaming panels, the focus of Wednesday sessions was on developments in racing, including a review of the newly launched Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act and a thoughtful panel on how fixed-odds betting can positively impact the American horseracing industry.

Lisa Lazarus, newly appointed CEO of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) spoke of the challenges her organization has faced in launching the initial phase of the Federal Statute that created HISA.

Of the 21 states that host live racing, 17 state racing commissions have signed on and voluntarily registered with HISA, with over 34,000 horses and 28,000 owners on board. Yet there have been federal court cases filed in Texas and Kentucky challenging the constitutionality of the federal statute, and a more recent case in Louisiana seeking a temporary restraining order on the implementation of HISA regulations in that jurisdiction.

All three cases lost in the first round but are being appealed. To date, HISA has incurred over $1.8 million in legal fees fighting these legal challenges, making a considerable dent in the organizations initial $14 million annual budget.

The HISA Board anticipates further legal challenges, but has committed to implementing corrections to many of the issues that have generated complaints from various sectors of the racing industry.

“We still have several transparency issues that need to be addressed, said Lazarus, ” and we will.”

“We are a very young organization created by federal statute,” Lazarus continued, “but we are learning as we go and it will get better.”

Fellow panelist Ed Martin, President and CEO of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) commented, “It's been a little messy [with the start-up], but it's gotten much better since Lisa showed up.”

At the heart of the disagreements over HISA, across all facets of the industry, is the process of turning over what has aways been a state regulated industry to a federal agency. However, owners, trainers, racing commissioners and multiple industry bodies are all in agreement that uniformity of regulations is essential for racing to thrive, grow, attract new fans and shed some of the negative images that have arisen over the past decade.

Speaker John Kimmel, a leading trainer and licensed veterinarian commented, “On the surface, two barometers here at Saratoga look good: NYRA stands to handle over $850 million for the meet and the average price of yearlings at the recent sales was over $400,000. But, there are looming problems out there.

“Lack of uniformity in state regulations creates havoc for horsemen that race in multiple jurisdictions. We need uniform medication withdrawal times. We also need to overcome differences in managing enforcement for on-track versus off-track stabled [race] entrants.”

HISA can resolve these multitude of different regulatory matters, but all states must come on board for the process to be effective.

Kimmel also suggested the HISA must do a better job of communicating with industry stakeholders and perhaps could create a marketing and public relations department.

“There are lots of rumors out these and complexly inaccurate statements,” Lazarus agreed. “We want to make racing better through uniformity and stability.”

New York is one of the four state racing commissions yet to come to an agreement to fully embrace HISA. Speaker Rob Williams, Executive Director of the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC), explained, “NYSGC has not accepted two of the tasks requested by HISA [registering participants by NY State employees and fully staffing drug testing collection].”

Overall, though, NYSGC has been supportive, providing staff and professional expertise to assist HISA in developing rules and regulations. Williams and Lazarus both anticipate that the differences can be worked out and that NYSGC and HISA will resolve the issues over funding and that New York State will eventually join the fold.

Panel moderator Alan Foremen, Chairman and CEO of Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, “The road to uniformity is so difficult.”

“We are making even more effort to listen to the industry on the pending anti-doping programs,” Lazarus stated. “We are a young organization created by Federal Statute; learning as we go. It will get better.”

Perhaps most encouraging was the level of respect that all panelists and their respective organizations had for Lazarus' efforts to date. All seemed to reflect that all will improve once the growing pains of HISA are worked out.

Ed Martin concluded, “Once the industry begins to trust HISA, that's the key to getting there.”

“Fixed Odds and the Future of Horseracing” the concluding panel on Wednesday, brought together racing executives, service providers and fixed-odds operators to offer their opinions on the current state of fixed-odds horse betting, but more importantly where and how the racing industry can capitalize on the stratospheric growth of legal sports betting by coupling both pari-mutuel and fixed odds betting to the current sports betting content menus.

Dallas Baker, Head of Business Development for BetMakers US, the operator first to market with fixed-odds betting at Monmouth Park, was adamant. “This is THE MOMENT for racing in the USA. We are at a critical point moment.”

“Just think how Illinois Horsemen felt watching the Arlington Million at Churchill Downs this past weekend!” Baker exclaimed.    Baker contended that like in his native Australia, fixed odds betting – primarily on win and place markets only–can revitalize a declining USA racing industry, capture younger bettors and fairly remunerate horsemen for purses, so long as the commercial and tax structures are on a level playing field for all operators and content providers.

Colorado is the only state besides New Jersey to have approved and regulated fixed odds on horse racing. Moderator Dan Hartman, Director of the Colorado Division of Gaming, explained how his agency consulted all segments of the racing industry, especially horsemen, and established a tax and regulatory scheme that returns a fair share to purses at Colorado's racetrack. The fixed-odds law sunsets in 18 months unless renewed by the Colorado Legislature. All stakeholders will be asked to weigh in on the future of fixed odds in Colorado at that point.

David O'Rourke, President and CEO of the New York Racing Association, believes that sports betting is a massive distribution channel for racing. NYRA plans to work with all current sports betting operators on ways in with NYRA pari-mutuel content may be added to current platforms and then see where fixed odds fits in.

NYRA recently concluded partnership deals with Caesars Entertainment and BetMGM to add NYRA horse racing content to those sports betting platforms. Regulatory and banking/funding roadblocks have so far limited the launch to only two states.

Paul Hannon, Senior Vice President Corporate development for PointsBet USA, is also bullish on fixed odds attracting a new audience to racing and building on the growth of online and retail sports betting in 30 states just four years after The Supreme Court overturned the Federal Law {PASPA] prohibiting sports betting in all States except Nevada.

“Racing must reap the benefits of Sports betting's growth,” Hannon said. “I believe that within two years of launch, fixed odds sports betting on racing will become the fifth-most wagered on sport, after NFL, NCAAB football, NBA and NCAA basketball.

“Racing fills a content void, especially this time of year between the end of NBA and the start of NFL when sports betting revenue and interest typically decline.”

Michelle Fischer, Vice President for SiS Content Services, also agrees that fixed odds on horse racing will be a successful product and generate new interest in racing from a younger audience.

“Adding fixed odds racing to existing sports betting platforms will only increase the pie,” Fischer stated.

She agreed with Hannon about the massive potential for racing, essentially a 24-hour per day global sports, nicely filling in the down time between more conventional sports. It has done so in the United Kingdom, Australia and much of Europe. It should be successful in America as well.

“Americans want to bet of American sports and American racing,” Fischer said. “We as an industry must give them the opportunity to do so.

“But we need an open market for content and a fair pricing model [as compared to conventional sports betting] to make this successful.”

O'Rourke summed up NYRA's position on the opportunity for racing to offering fixed odds to reach a newer and younger demographic.

“Racing is essentially an entertainment product, but you cannot lose control of your content.”

Tuesday sessions focused on downstate casino development in New York, with most speakers concluding that two of the three licenses are heavily favored to be warded to Genting Resorts World at Aqueduct and MGM Empire City Casino at Yonkers, both of which are well-established VLT “racino” facilities.

The third, and final downstate license is up for grabs, but unlikely to be situated in Manhattan due to community and business opposition.

At a Tuesday panel on “Sports Betting: What's Next?” speakers reflected on the excessive 51% tax rate in New York on mobile sports betting operators and how that may eventually lead to market decline and further competition. Panelists also echoed many of the same sentiments as expressed at the Wednesday Fixed Odds and the Future of Horse Betting session, as the conclusion of most regulators, including in New Jersey, is that “racing is a sport.”

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Rich Strike Looks to Complete Derby/Travers Double

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Trainer Eric Reed is looking back and ahead as he prepares GI Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike (Keen Ice) for the GI Runhappy Travers S.

With a firm opinion of what went wrong in the Rich Strike's sixth-place finish in the GI Belmont S. June 11, Reed is expecting a much better performance in the $1.25-million signature race of the Saratoga Race Course meet Aug. 27. He will be the first Derby winner to run in the Travers since Always Dreaming (Bodemeister) finished ninth in 2017. The last horse to complete the Derby-Travers double was Street Sense (Street Cry) in 2007.

Rich Strike was the sensational and shocking winner of the Derby May 7 at odds of 80-1. Under little-known jockey Sonny Leon, he benefitted from a torrid early pace, made a run from far back and wove around a bunch of horses without checking in the stretch. Approaching the wire, he zipped past the dueling leaders, Epicenter (Not This Time) and Zandon (Upstart), on the inside to complete a storybook performance. His connections decided to skip the GI Preakness S. two weeks later and focused on the Belmont, where he turned up as an also-ran.

Reed shipped his colt from Kentucky to Saratoga Sunday and said he has him ready to start the second half of his season in America's oldest race for 3-year-olds.

“He's going to show up and run his race and if he can beat Epicenter and those horses again, good for us,” Reed said. “I know he can. He's done it once before.”

The journey to Saratoga by van was uneventful and Reed said that Rich Strike seems comfortable in his new surroundings at Dale Romans's barn. Reed and Romans have known each other since they were young trainers sharing the same barn at the old Latonia track, now Turfway Park.

“He shipped really good,” Reed said. “When he got here he was bucking and playing in the shedrow as soon as we unloaded him, so the trip didn't seem to take too much out of him.”

Though it's only been a couple of days, Reed said that Rich Strike looks to be smoothly getting over the main track, which is about 200 yards from his stall.

“He seems happier on the track,” Reed said. “He trained great at Belmont, but it seemed to me watching him that he was really putting a lot into it. Up here, he's training as hard but he's not having to put as much into it. I don't know if that's just the difference in surface or what it is, but really in the 10 weeks off he's matured a lot. He's calmed down He's just seemed like he's more relaxed about doing this and not so swelled up trying to show off so much. He's trained great.”

In the 1 1/2-mile Belmont, Reed asked Leon to keep the colt on the outside and away from traffic in the field of eight. He said he realized by the time the field reached the first turn that it was the wrong strategy. Reed said that even though the colt comes from off the pace, he is at his best when he is surrounded by the competition.

“The race was not the right race anyway, for his style,” Reed said. “I think if I hadn't given Sonny those instructions, he could have been down where he wanted to be and he would have tried a lot harder. We'd never, ever had him out in the middle of the track in any race. He's run in the center of the track in the Derby, but he had horses all around him on both sides. And we just learned that if he doesn't have a horse to the right, he just gets too aggressive with the horse beside him. But if they're on each side, he just wants to fight all of them and he'll run through them. I didn't know that. My God, we had one speed horse, we were the deep closer and six gallopers. I said 'the worst, you're going to be two or three wide when you got to run by them. Don't get in trouble.' It was a bad decision. You could see he had his head cocked the whole way around the turn trying to get to the inside.”

While he understands the error, Reed said he hasn't gotten past the disappointment of how the Belmont played out.

“It still haunts me,” he said. “Not because of me, but because everybody starts saying 'I told you so.' But every race that horse ran all year he ran great. The competition got better every race. The races were tougher, every race, and he kept getting better and better and better. The only bad race, or anomaly, wasn't the Derby, it was the Belmont.

Reed looks at the 1 1/4-mile Travers as a fresh start. He hopes he will get his colt to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic and the division title. The veteran trainer said he was never tempted to give Rich Strike a prep for the Travers.

“No, we were going to give him a mid-summer break,” Reed said. “He needs a little bit more time between races than most horses so there was no way we could hit the [GI] Haskell S. or the [GII] Jim Dandy S. because of the timing. The Haskell was on the wrong track anyway, another track for speed horses, and it's 1 1/8 miles. We knew we wanted to give him a little break. He had come off five races, the Derby, the Belmont and then he's had six breezes. He got 30 days of light training, which to him is still pretty hard training. I think we're right where we always wanted to be.”

Reed will work Rich Strike a half-mile early Friday morning.

“'I'm not going to go fast,” Reed said. “He had a really hard work at Churchill [5f in :59.40 on Aug. 10], so I know we were fit. I'd like :49 or :50 and maybe a 1:02 gallop out.”

Reed acknowledged that the arrival of the Derby winner–the 27th in history to try the Travers–has attracted a lot of interest in Saratoga.

“They've got to come see him,” Reed said. “I guess they're all waiting to see if he's going to back the Derby race up, which I don't blame him. I'm pretty sure he'll run better than in the Belmont.”

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