Creator, Gun Runner work toward possible starts in Travers
Trainer Steve Asmussen sent his pair of accomplished three-year-old runners Creator and Gun Runner to the Oklahoma training track early Monday morning as each put in a half-mile maintenance work in preparation for starts later to be determined.
Creator completed the four-furlong workout in :50.94 while Gun Runner was officially clocked in :51.33 as both looked to move forward off sub-par performances.
Belmont S. (G1) winner Creator ran to a last-place finish in the Jim Dandy (G2) while TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) winner and fourth-place Kentucky Derby (G1) finisher Gun Runner finished fifth in the Haskell Invitational (G1) at Monmouth Park.
"They breezed back beautifully," said Asmussen, who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday. "I'm very happy. Obviously, disappointed in each of their last races but the only thing I'm worried about now is how they're doing today and today we're looking good."
With each of his stakes winning three-year-olds stabled at Saratoga and the $1.25 million Travers (G1) two and half weeks away, Asmussen wouldn't commit to the race as of yet but conceded it is certainly an option for both.
"Weather permitting, they'll work more serious next Monday and we'll look to make decisions on where we want to go with both after a more serious move. They're three-year-olds and we're here so I promise we won't miss nominations," quipped Asmussen.
(Adam Coglianese Photography)
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