Smart Transition Breezes Bullet for Travers

Arnold Zetcher's Smart Transition put in his final breeze for the Travers Stakes (gr. I), firing a bullet for five furlongs on the main track at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 23.

 

The Smart Strike   colt was timed in :58.55, the fastest of 43 timed moves at the distance. 

 

"He worked really well," trainer John Shirreffs said. "We were hoping he'd work a little bit between a minute and 1:01, somewhere around there. He went a little faster than expected, but that's all right. He's been training well right along."

 

As he has been for each of four Saratoga works, as well as Smart Transition's last three races, jockey Junior Alvarado was aboard for the breeze. Shirreffs is still waiting to confirm a rider for the Travers.

 

Set for Aug. 29, the Travers will see a purse boost from $1.25 million to $1.6 million if Triple Crown winner American Pharoah runs. The connections for American Pharoah announced, following his work Sunday morning at Del Mar, that he is scheduled to make his next start in the Travers, if all goes well over the next few days.

 

 

"If American Pharoah (runs), we're going to have to step up quite a bit," Shirreffs said. "I think it's good. It's good for racing. We're feeling good about being in the Travers."

 

Unraced at 2, Smart Transition picked up his first stakes victory July 21 at Saratoga in the 1 1/8-mile Curlin Stakes, winning by 4 3/4 lengths. His only other win was a maiden triumph in April at Santa Anita Park, where he beat older horses.

 

"You never know exactly where a horse is going to go, but he's been a horse that's been very impressive since his 2-year-old year," Shirreffs said. "He stood out among the 2-year-olds that we had. In some of his races he was very unfortunate. He didn't get the ride or the trip he needed. 

 

"In the Curlin, he got the perfect trip. It couldn't have gone any better for him and he showed what he was capable of. If we get another good trip, I think he should run very well."