The epicenter | Sarah Andrews
Runner-up of Winchell Thoroughbreds’ MGSW and GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. The epicenter (Not this time) pulled out post six in field eight and installed as a key 7-5 favorite on Saturday’s 153rd renewal with $1.25 million GI Runhappy Travers S. Student Steve Asmussen, who was last seen delivering a dazzling first kick to win the local GII Jim Dandy S. on July 30, will be ridden by casual riders Joel Rosario, who missed much of last week’s race at Saratoga with an illness.
Giving a 7-2 nod to second pick is Gold Square’s multi-track multi-track winner of Gold Square Cyberknife (Gunman). Scoring in the GI Arkansas Derby earlier this year, Cyberknife bounced back from a disappointing streak in the Kentucky Derby with consecutive successes in GIII Matt Winn S. and GI Haskell Invitational S. Chestnuts will bring to coaching member Brad Cox Travers consecutive wins after his championship Necessary quality (Tapit) won the 1/4 mile test in 2021.
Kentucky Derby turned upside down Rich Strike (Keen Ice) pulled back column two as a 10-1 chance. After his forgettable flourish finish to shock Run for the Roses 80-1, intern Eric Reed famously passed the challenge at Preakness only to run sixth in the GI Belmont S. Journeyman Sonny Leon holds the position.
Top Coach Chad Brown Will Have Three Beginnings in Travers: Hero Preakness Vote early (Gunman8-1, post seven), 1st place winner and 3rd Derby Zandon (Start up5-1, lesson eight) and Artorius (Arrogate, 9-2, post 5), an impressive winner of Curlin S. July 29 at Spa. Brown, who made the news last week after he arrest in Saratoga Springs, looking for his first Travers win.
Round out is the winner of the Iowa Derby Ain’t Life Grand (Not this time20-1) from lesson three and Curlin runner-up Age of wealth (Medaglia d’Oro30-1) from post year.
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This story was posted in Top News and tagged Artorius, Chad Brown, Vote early, The epicenter, Joel Rosario, Rich Strike, Saratoga, Steve Asmussen, Travers, Zandon.
