Liaison replaces Paynter and will represent trainer Bob Baffert in the $1 million Travers Stakes
Since, Paynter is out of the picture for the Grade 1, $1 million Travers Stakes, which will be hosted at Saratoga on 25th August, 2012, he will now be replaced with Liaison, who seems to be just as capable of victory in the
1 ¼ mile race, and is the sole runner on the field who will represent Bob Baffert.
Paynter, owned by Ahmed Zayat, spiked a fever after his Haskell Invitational win, and has been scratched from the race as a precaution.
Liaison, son of Indian Charlie seems to be at the top of his game, and he is already busy in preparation for the big day.
Hall of Fame trainer, Bob Baffert, took him through a five furlong work at Saratoga on 13th August, 2012, which he completed in 1 minute and 00.38 seconds.
Referring to the colt, Baffert just said that: "Liaison is doing well."
Owned by Arnold Zetcher, Liaison has a grade 1 victory under his belt, when he claimed the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity Stakes at the Betfair Hollywood Park as a juvenile last year, where he bolted through the 1 1/16 mile race and defeated, Rousing Sermon.
Since then, the Kentucky bred runner has tried his luck in a number of Grade 1 races, but without luck. He ran in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby and the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, without any luck.
In his most recent start, he competed in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes, and finished in third place. He now has an overall record of 3-1-3 in 11 starts, but definitely has the ability to achieve another grade 1 victory.
It goes without saying that it will not be an easy ride for him. Stealcase, owned by John C. Oxley, seems in particularly good shape.
Trainer, Mark Casse, took him through a work-out of six furlongs which he completed in 1 minute and 12.53 seconds on 13th August, 2012. Mark Casse discussed the work-out and told the press that:
“You really can't work any better than that, so it seems like we're on track for the Travers at this point."
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