Saratoga Showdown: Corporate Power Seeks Travers Glory

Curlin Stakes Sets the Stage for Exciting Travers

Saratoga Springs, N.Y. – The Curlin Stakes at Saratoga Race Course on July 20 has set the stage for an exciting Travers Stakes on August 26. Trainer Shug McGaughey and jockey Javier Castellano are feeling optimistic about their horse, Corporate Power, following a strong second-place finish in the Curlin.

Although Corporate Power was unable to catch front-runner Unmatched Wisdom in the 1 1/8-mile Curlin Stakes, finishing one length behind, the connections believe the extra distance of the 1 1/4-mile Travers will play to their colt’s strengths.

McGaughey and Castellano Aim for Travers Glory

McGaughey, a Hall of Fame trainer, is no stranger to success in the prestigious Travers Stakes. He has won the race four times, tying him for second on the all-time list, just one victory shy of the record held by the legendary Bert Mulholland. Castellano, the winningest jockey in Travers history with seven victories, is equally confident in Corporate Power’s chances.

“You’ve got the record. I want to tie the record,” McGaughey told Castellano after the Curlin Stakes, referring to the trainer’s quest to match Mulholland’s Travers win total.

Corporate Power’s Pedigree and Potential

Corporate Power, a regally bred son of two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, has been steadily improving with each start. Although he was unraced at two, the colt has now won two of his five career starts, including the Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico. His connections are optimistic that the extra distance of the Travers will play to his strengths.

“He’s bred to be a true mile-and-a-quarter horse,” McGaughey said, noting that the distance question may loom large for some of Corporate Power’s rivals, such as the filly Thorpedo Anna and the speedy Unmatched Wisdom.

Pace Scenario Favors Corporate Power in Travers

With the presence of other speed horses like Belmont and Haskell winner Dornoch and Jim Dandy victor Fierceness, McGaughey believes the pace scenario will work in Corporate Power’s favor in the Travers.

“The horse that won was on an easy lead,” he said of the Curlin Stakes. “In the Travers, there will be a bigger field. We’ll get a pace. That will help.”

Corporate Power’s readiness for the Travers was further evidenced by a bullet four-furlong workout of 47.45 seconds at Saratoga on August 16, the fastest of 45 horses at that distance that morning.

“I liked his last race. I liked the way he came out of it,” McGaughey said, acknowledging that Corporate Power still has some ground to make up on the top contenders. However, with the experience of Castellano and the pedigree and potential of the colt, the connections are eagerly anticipating the Travers and the opportunity to tie a prestigious record.

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