Jim Dandy features match-up between Creator, Destin & Mohaymen
July 27th, 2016
Multiple Grade 2 hero Mohaymen, last seen finishing fourth in the Kentucky Derby (G1), is another top contender in the 1 1/8-mile prep for the $1.25 million Travers (G1) on August 27.
Creator drew the rail in the six-horse field. A maiden winner in late February, the gray Tapit colt posted a finished third when making his stakes bow in the Rebel (G2) next time out and stamped his Kentucky Derby ticket with a rallying score in the Arkansas Derby (G1) at 11-1 odds. He spit the bit after experiencing a rough trip at Churchill Downs, checking in 13th among 20 Derby contestants, but Creator rebounded stylishly in the Belmont for Steve Asmussen. Irad Ortiz Jr. retains the mount on the late runner.
Destin posted back-to-back wins in the Sam F. Davis (G3) and Tampa Bay Derby (G2) in advance of a sixth-place effort on Kentucky Derby Day. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt raced up close to the pace in the Belmont and surged to a clear lead in midstretch before being caught in the final strides. The gray son of Giant’s Causeway figures to put his tactical speed to good use and Javier Castellano rides for Todd Pletcher.
Mohaymen established himself as an early Kentucky Derby favorite when capturing his first five starts, including the Fountain of Youth (G2) and Holy Bull (G2) at Gulfstream. After a well-beaten fourth behind Nyquist in the Florida Derby (G1), the gray colt turned in a respectable effort rallying from off the pace in the Kentucky Derby. Regular rider Junior Alvarado guides the Kiaran McLaughlin-trained son of Tapit.
Rounding out the field are Belmont Stakes fourth-placer Governor Malibu; Race Me Home, second when making his stakes debut in the June 11 Easy Goer last out; and professional maiden Laoban.
Belmont Stakes photo courtesy of Adam Coglianese
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