Essential Quality Remains On Course for Travers

Essential Quality  was a determined victor of July 31 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course and will now target the meet's signature event, the $1.25 million Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) Aug. 28.

Godolphin's homebred son of Tapit  , trained by Brad Cox, overcame a five-wide trip on both turns, rated at the rear of the compact field down the backstretch, and fended off an inside rally from Keepmeinmind  to finish off the nine furlongs in 1:49.92 over the fast main track.

"The more I looked at it, the more I wondered how much pace was in the race and then I thought we'd be forwardly placed just because he was fresh," Cox said. "The horse to the inside of us (Keepmeinmind) was also fresh. I think it played out kind of the way we expected. Obviously I didn't think we would be caught quite as wide, but I thought it would be a well-grouped bunch of horses going into the first turn. He's able to dig in and fight and continue on."

Essential Quality, last year's champion 2-year-old male, will look to become the first horse since Alpha  in 2012 to capture the Jim Dandy-Travers double.

Cox could hold a strong hand for the Travers as Juddmonte's Mandaloun , winner of the TVG.com Haskell Stakes (G1) upon the disqualification of Hot Rod Charlie , is also a possible contender. Cox said a breeze next weekend will likely determine which direction Mandaloun goes. 

Lexitonian Possible for Forego

After taking Saturday's Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1) at odds of 34-1, Calumet Farm's homebred Lexitonian could make a return engagement at Saratoga in the $600,000 Forego Stakes (G1) at seven furlongs Aug. 28.

"Right after the race, I like to set a plan and obviously we're here in Saratoga and he handled the track well yesterday, so the next stop could potentially be the Forego," trainer Jack Sisterson said. "We'll see how he comes out of the race and goes from there. But you're looking at the race at Belmont (the grade 2 Vosburgh Stakes Oct. 9) or bringing back home for the Phoenix (G2, Oct. 8 at Keeneland). The ultimate goal is the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at the end of the year."

Whitmore, last year's champion male sprinter who ran third in the Vanderbilt, is also under consideration for the Forego, trainer Ron Moquett confirmed. 

"We're looking at the Forego," Moquett said. "I was very proud of how he came back out of the race. Obviously, we'll pay attention to him the next week or so and see if he's up for it, but that's what we're hoping for."

Moquett explained taking dirt down the backstretch didn't do Whitmore any favors in the Vanderbilt.

"I'm sure it didn't help. He's sensitive about his eyes so that may have been why he decided to run outside instead of through the rail, but it looked like a lot of horses were taking kick back," Moquett said.