Robert LaPenta’s Miner’s Reserve and Ice Box
put in workouts Friday morning at Saratoga Race Course, with both colts from
the barn of Nick Zito possible for the 141st running of the Grade 1,
$1 million Travers on Saturday, August 28.
With Calvin Borel aboard, Miner’s Reserve breezed four
furlongs in company with stablemate Gallant Fields, with the duo covering the
distance in 48.35, ranked second among 31 workouts at the distance over the Oklahoma
training track.
The Hall of Fame trainer has yet to commit Miner’s Reserve
to the Travers, wishing to assess the prospective field before making a final
decision.
There are no question marks regarding the status of Ice Box,
who took to the main track with Julien Leparoux in the irons. In company with
Cool Coal Man, Ice Box breezed five furlongs in 1:00.09, the second fastest of
26 moves.
“It looks like he has a little more strength would be my
guess,” said Zito of Ice Box’s condition following his sixth-place finish in
the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational. “It takes them a while to recover from [the
Triple Crown] races. Hopefully he comes with a great run next weekend. If he
runs to the Derby race he’ll be
right there.”
Fly Down, trained by Zito for Richard C. Pell, is
scheduled to have his final pre-Travers workout tomorrow morning, either on the
main track or the Oklahoma Training Track.
Training up to next Saturday's Travers, Admiral Alex
came onto the main track at 5:50 this morning for a six-furlong
workout.
With jockey Kent Desormeaux aboard, Admiral Alex started the
first quarter in :24 2/5, passed three furlongs in :35 4/5, went five furlongs
in 1:01 2/5, breezed six furlongs in 1:14.02, and then galloped out seven
furlongs in 1:26 3/5.
"It was a beautiful work. He didn't break a hair,"
said owner and trainer Leon Blusiewicz. "He finished really well. He
finished stronger than he started. That's what I wanted. Now, he'll just gallop
into the race."
Admiral Alex will come into the Travers with just one start
– a one-length maiden win at 1 1/8th
miles at the Spa on July 31.
In addition to Zito’s horses and Admiral Alex, the Travers
is expected to attract Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, Jim Dandy
winner A Little Warm, Afleet Again, Afleet Express, First
Dude, Friend Or Foe, Steinbeck, Trickmeister, and
possibly Pleasant Prince, Steinbeck, and Trappe Shot, who
is also under consideration for the King’s Bishop.