In the 3-year-old male division, Winchell Thoroughbreds' Epicenter is again in the first place.
Epicenter demonstrated why he was the favorite in both the Kentucky Derby and the Runhappy Travers Stakes, which will take place on August 27—presented by Woodford Reserve and the Preakness Stakes, rolling to a commanding one 1/2-length victory in the $558,000 Jim Dandy Stakes over a select yet elegant group of three other 3-year-olds, including Preakness champion Early Voting.
When the word "decisive" was used, trainer Steve Asmussen responded, "I like your word." After completing two, it's very satisfying.
The son of Not This Time, Epicenter, finished second in the first two Triple Crown events. Still, he did so despite the hard Kentucky Derby pace and the Preakness at Pimlico Race Course two weeks later, when he broke slowly and encountered traffic.
After his performance on July 30, when he came from last to win the Grade 2 race, it was undoubtedly evident that the actual Epicenter is the division leader he was hailed to be after convincing victories in the Grade 2 race, at least for the time being. Twinspires.com Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes and the Louisiana Derby In the Run for the Roses on May 1, he was the 4.10-1 betting favorite thanks to Lamarque Ford.
The next test for Epicenter will be the Travers, which will be held at the Spa in four weeks. The classic one 1/4-mile distance will serve as the venue for a potential rematch with the 80.80-1 Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike and a meeting with anyone else vying for an Eclipse Award or the glistening $1.25 million prize.
"I didn't expect [this track] to provide him with any issues, but for him to perform his race on this track was a huge relief.
We've had some successful finishes in the Travers, including a few thirds and seconds, but Ron and I have discussed how much we'd like to win it, said Asmussen, who entered Winchell's Midnight Bourbon for a runner-up result in the 2021 Travers.
Klaravich Stables' Early Voting and Epicenter entered the one 1/8-mile Jim Dandy off their performances in the Preakness in front of a crowd of 37,476 on a day with $33.4 million in total wagering. In the early stages, the race appeared familiar from Baltimore. Joel Rosario and Epicenter got out of the start behind the others, while Early Voting revealed his speed under Jose Ortiz. He was last of four, four lengths behind pace-setter Early Voting.
Winchell started to wriggle in his seat on the backstretch after a half-mile in 48.28 seconds when Early Voting led by two lengths and Epicenter was still last.
Asmussen's optimism was also boosted by the ease with which his Westwind Farms-bred colt was moving while still in striking distance.
Rosario pushed Epicenter the farthest on the turn as Zandon, a horse running for the first time since finishing third in the Kentucky Derby, and Tawny Port, a horse, owned by Peachtree Stables, pursued Early Voting.
Asmussen observed, "He was traveling pretty."
When Rosario put Epicenter into high gear while still in last place at the top of the stretch, he soon moved to the front at the eighth pole, and the 11-10 favorite ($4.20) increased his lead to the finish line in 1:48.99.
Asmussen, whose Jackie's Warrior had previously won the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes, said: "I think it provides us something going forward, and that's the important part." "This was amazing. What comes next?
Zanon, a son of Upstart who finished first in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, trailed Tawny Port by a half-length.
Trainer Chad Brown remarked, "He was a bit closer than he probably wanted to run.
The 9-5 second choice Early Voting, also trained by Brown, fell to fourth place, 1 3/4 lengths behind Tawny Port.
Brown stated, "This track has been exhausting. "Early Voting failed to manage this tune. We'll watch to see how he returns.
Epicenter's fifth victory in nine attempts, bringing his total profits to $2,270,639.
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