Mott Adds Blinkers for Tacitus' Final Travers Work

Trainer Bill Mott is not afraid to try something new before a big race. So when discussions came up about racing Tacitus with blinkers in the $1.25 million Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1), the Hall of Famer got a head start with the equipment change.

Juddmonte Farms' homebred dual grade 2 winner sported blinkers Aug. 17 in his final breeze for the Aug. 24 Midsummer Derby, going five furlongs in 1:00.48 in company with Seismic Wave on the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga Race Course. Regular rider Jose Ortiz was aboard for the journey, the fastest of five recorded works at the distance. 

"It was what we were looking for. He was a bit more focused with the blinkers," Ortiz said. "There was a loose horse, so we pulled up at the quarter pole, and when he galloped to the seven-furlong (pole), he was very focused. Before, he used to look around and play around, but he doesn't do that now, so that makes me more confident. He worked unbelievable. He has a nice way that he goes. He can do :12 (second splits) the whole way around there."

Tacitus enters the Travers off a pair of runner-up finishes in the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) and Jim Dandy Stakes (G2). In the Jim Dandy, he stumbled coming out of the gate but managed to recover and finish a strong second to Travers rival Tax.

"It was a small field, but it was very impressive what he did," Ortiz said. "He went to his knees, got up, and ran a very nice race. I think he's probably one of the best 3-year-olds, but he's just been very unlucky. Hopefully, we turn the tables in the Travers. We talked about (adding blinkers) after the (Jim) Dandy, and we both agreed. (Mott) said he'd think about it. He ran third in the Derby, second in the Belmont, so we didn't want to change much."

Mott was pleased with how Tacitus trained with blinkers and said the colt appears much more focused than before.

"I think the blinkers seem as though they helped him focus a little bit. Even in the workout, it looked like his head carriage was a little more straight and level," Mott said. "Does he absolutely have to have them? Maybe not. But if they help him an inch, it'll be worth it. The good thing is that they didn't make him anxious or rank. They just helped him focus through the stretch."

With the recent defections of champion 2-year-old Game Winner and two-time grade 1 winner Maximum Security, Tacitus could end up being the favorite for the Travers. 

"At this juncture, anybody who has a horse just hopes they stay healthy until race time, whether it's a soundness issue or whether there's a virus," Mott said. "You cross your fingers and hope you stay in good shape. I don't think you want to be acting joyous over someone else not being able to run because you could be in the same shoes. We were bringing Hofburg up last year, and he got sick right before the race. I'm just worried about my one horse and cross my fingers that he stays healthy for race day."

Trainer Chad Brown is the overwhelming favorite to wrap up his fourth consecutive title as the leading trainer at Saratoga, and he'll look to cap another successful summer with his first victory in the Travers, saddling pair of formidable contenders in Highest Honors and Looking At Bikinis.

W.S. Farish's Highest Honors, a Tapit gray, and Long Lake Stable, Madaket Stables, Thomas Coleman, and Doheny Racing Stable's Looking At Bikinis, by Lookin At Lucky , visited the main track following the renovation break at 8:45 a.m. ET.

Highest Honors completed five furlongs in 1:01.66.

"He went super," said Brown. "It was a nice little maintenance move. He galloped out strong and came back with a lot of energy."

Highest Honors won his stakes debut in the July 26 Curlin Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths over a muddy track.

"He's been looking for a mile and a quarter for some time," said Brown. "I know he's lightly raced and lacks some experience, but I'm confident the distance will suit him."

Looking At Bikinis posted a five-furlong move in 1:00.85. The well-regarded colt won his first two starts at Belmont and was sent off as the even-money favorite in the Curlin, where he broke alertly and took the lead before fading to third.

"He bounced out of the Curlin well," said Brown. "We only wanted to go on to this race if he trained well, and he has. I'm hoping his performance last time was compromised by the wet track. Hopefully, if the conditions are dry, he can work out a better trip and we'll see his previous form."

Highest Honors will be ridden by Luis Saez in the Travers. Hall of Fame rider Javier Castellano will be aboard Looking At Bikinis. 

Also working for the Travers at Saratoga was Calumet Farm's Everfast, who went five furlongs on the main track in 1:00.23 for trainer Dale Romans.

Trainer Dallas Stewart said Chess Chief, second in the Aug. 3 West Virginia Derby (G3) for the Estate of James Coleman Jr., is under consideration for the race. A decision will be made following an Aug. 19 work at Churchill Downs.