Creator, Gun Runner Work in Saratoga

WinStar Farm and Bobby Flay's Creator completed his major preparations for the July 30 Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II) with a half-mile breeze on the Oklahoma Training Track in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, Creator, a 3-year-old Tapit   colt who won the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (gr. I) last time out, covered the distance on a fast track in :49 2/5 with Abel Flores aboard.

"He's doing really well," Asmussen said. "I think he has trained very well over both surfaces. He has gotten a lot out of his gallops here at Oklahoma, and I liked his work over the main track last week, so I feel really good about him. My only concern with the Jim Dandy, going from a mile and a half to a mile and an eighth, is that it may be a bit short for him, but I feel good about it as a prep for the Travers."

The grade I Travers, at 1 1/4 miles, is scheduled for Aug. 27 at Saratoga Race Course. The field for the Jim Dandy will be drawn July 27.

Meanwhile, Asmussen trainee Gun Runner, a 3-year-old Candy Ride   colt being pointed to the July 31 Betfair.com Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park, also worked four furlongs in :49 3/5 on the Oklahoma track July 25. Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, Three Chimneys Farm, and Besilu Stables, Gun Runner won the Matt Winn Stakes (gr. III) at Churchill Downs in his most recent start in mid-June.

"I think the spacing for the Haskell is good for him," Asmussen said. "The Matt Winn was six weeks after the (Kentucky) Derby and six weeks to the Haskell, and I think he has stayed in a very good rhythm. I'm kind of excited about his chances there. I think that with Gun Runner, our performance in the Haskell would have everything to do with (whether to race in the Travers)."