Forte, Tapit Trice Have Final Works Before Travers

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher put the finishing training touches on Forte  and Tapit Trice , his two runners for the $1.25 million Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 26. Both horses entered the main track after the second break Aug. 19 on a cool, overcast morning for their final Travers breezes.

Forte, winner of the Jim Dandy (G2) at the Spa July 29, went four furlongs in a time of 50.50 seconds with  jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle. Forte, last year's 2-year-old champion, worked in company with 4-year-old stablemate Bright Future .

Tapit Trice worked four furlongs alone in 49.22 seconds with new jockey Jose Ortiz. Ortiz replaces Luis Saez, who had ridden the son of Tapit in his last six starts. Saez will ride Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mage  in the Travers.

Tapit Trice was equipped with blinkers for the work and will wear them in the Midsummer Derby, the first time he'll have them in a race.

Pletcher hopes that will improve the focus for the son of Tapit  , who is owned by Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Stable.

"His weakness so far has been getting out of the gate and getting into a good position," Pletcher said outside his barn office at the Oklahoma Training Track. "We are hoping this will help a little with that."

Pletcher said Saez suggested that blinkers could help Tapit Trice, who was seventh in the Kentucky Derby (G1), third in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and fifth in the Haskell Stakes (G1). He had won four of his first five starts, including the Blue Grass Stakes (G1). 

Blinkers were on Tapit Trice when he galloped earlier in the week.

"He seemed to be dialed in a little more and it seemed like that was the case this morning," Pletcher said. "I don't know if it will make him any quicker early, but it can't hurt. He has kind of put himself in compromising positions a couple times, the Haskell for one the Derby for another. We just feel like we needed to make some sort of adjustment to improve on that a little bit. He has the talent to win a big race ; he already has in the Blue Grass."

Forte, owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable, has won seven of nine career starts and was the morning-line favorite for the Kentucky Derby before being scratched the morning of the race by Kentucky state veterinarians because of a bruise on his right front hoof. 

The son of Violence  was second in the Belmont off an eight-week layoff before winning the Jim Dandy.

On Aug. 19, he was also equipped with blinkers, which he wore in the Jim Dandy. He did not have the hood on in his prior work.

"If you put them on all the time, you lose a little of the effect," Pletcher said. "He looked super and was moving great."

Pletcher also watched his champion filly Nest work four furlongs in 48.75 in her final work before the $500,000 Personal Ensign Stakes (G1), which will be run Aug. 25.

Nest, a daughter of Curlin  , worked in company with 4-year-old Wit , last seen finishing eighth in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1T) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 28. Regular exercise rider Nora McCormack was on board.

"I thought it was as good as a horse can work," Pletcher said. "We expect it of her, but it's always good to see it."

Nest last year's Eclipse Award winner as the top 3-year-old filly, is owned by Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House.