Paynter’s fever causes concern regarding his appearance in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga
If Paynter lands the 1 ¼ mile - Travers Stakes on 25th August, 2012, after his magnificent victory in the Haskell Invitational on 29th July, 2012, he will become the first horse since, Point Given in
2001 to do a Travers-Haskell double.
However, this may remain a distant dream as news of Paynter’s fever has spread like wildfire.
Trainer Bob Baffert confirmed the speculation and has the colt’s best interests at heart. He will not make a decision about him running in the Travers, until the colt is a 100 %. Regarding this, the handler said:
“I’ve got to get him well first.”
The trainer emphasised on the fact that this is not the only option, and there are other possibilities to consider. If the son of Awesome Again does not recover in time, the next stop will be the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby on 22nd September
2012, at Parx Racing.
Paynter is not the only runner Baffert was considering for the Travers Stake, as Liaison also holds an entry after he finished third in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga.
Baffert has saddled six winners in the Haskell Invitational, but Point Given is the sole victor he saddled in the Travers Stakes in 2001. If Paynter runs, chances are that he will race as a favourite, but if he doesn’t then the Jim Dandy Stakes winner
Alpha might be the market leader.
Paynter’s situation is similar to Lookin At Lucky, who was also trained by Bob Baffert. In 2010, he claimed a massive victory in the Haskell, but his fever spiked. Due to this, he could not compete in the Travers Stakes.
The son of Smart Strike made a comeback in the Grade 2 Indiana Derby where. He was retired to stud duty after he finished fourth in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic in the same year.
Paynter, who is under the ownership of Zayat Stables, holds an overall record of 3-2-0 out of six starts with earnings of $952,224. Prior to the Haskell Invitational, he finished second to Union Rags in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes.
This was the sophomore’s first graded victory, and here’s to hoping he gets better to vie for the Travers Stakes at Saratoga.
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