Velazquez to Ride Smart Transition in Travers
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Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will be aboard Arnold Zetcher's Curlin Stakes winner Smart Transition in the $1.6 million Travers Stakes (gr. I), trainer John Shirreffs said Aug. 24.
Velazquez, 43, replaces Junior Alvarado on the 3-year-old Smart Strike colt. Alvarado has breezed Smart Transition in each of his four works at Saratoga Racecourse this summer and been aboard in each of his past three starts, including the Curlin.
"We're glad to have Johnny. I think it's great," Shirreffs said. "Johnny's a fabulous rider, a Hall of Fame rider, so we're very happy."
From 14 Travers mounts, Velazquez has one win, with Flower Alley in 2005. Third in the Saratoga rider standings with 31 wins entering Monday, he is Smart Transition's fourth rider in seven starts.
"Like in the last race, we're just looking to have a nice trip," Shirreffs said. "If he can find a place where the horse gets a good trip, I think we're in good shape."
Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito has secured the services of jockey Jose Ortiz for Mossarosa's grade II-placed Frammento in the Travers. In his only other Travers mount, the 21-year-old Ortiz was second in 2013 with Moreno, who finished a nose behind Will Take Charge .
Ortiz ranks fourth with 23 wins at the current meet, 20 behind his older brother and meet leader, Irad Ortiz Jr.
"He's an energetic young rider, a terrific young rider, and we like him," Zito said of Jose Ortiz. "We've had so much success with him. I think he's an up-and-coming rider that makes a good impression on me."
Two-time Travers-winning trainer Todd Pletcher said multiple grade II winner Madefromlucky would bypass the Travers rather than face Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and instead point to the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) Sept.19 at Parx Racing.
"I don't think it's any secret that the Pennsylvania Derby is going to be an easier race," Pletcher said. "He's the kind of horse that will probably benefit from a lively pace, and I'm not sure the Travers is going to be a real hot pace."