Arch Traveler joins Triple Crown chase with allowance win
Arch Traveler took another step towards the Triple Crown trail and a potential start against graded-stakes company with a sharp victory over a strong allowance field on Saturday, February 26 at Gulfstream Park.
A son of Sky Mesa, Arch Traveler was coming back on less than three weeks rest while making his debut beyond seven-furlongs.
While questions were asked before the race about the quick turnaround and extended distance, the colt passed both tests with high marks to establish himself as a possible starter for either the $1,000,000 G1-Florida Derby on April 3 or the $750,000 G1-Wood Memorial on April 9.
Trained by Jimmy Jerkens, the colt broke sharply and he was briefly in front as the field entered the first turn. At that point, jockey Jose Lezcano slowed down the pace and took Arch Traveler back to second, where he settled a half-length off the lead as the field moved down the backside. Arch Traveler moved to the front as the field turned for home before kicking clear through the final eighth of a mile. Nacho Business made a bold move late, but Arch Traveler was always safe, posting a ¾-length victory to confirm his status as one of the better three-year-olds on the East Coast.
“He’s now run three races pretty quickly by today’s standings but I wanted to get this one under his belt,” said Jerkens. “There’s a chance he could come back in the Florida Derby. We’ll see if there are any defections along the way. We’ve got plenty of time to decide but this could also give us the chance to wait until we get back to New York.”
Arch Traveler was purchased by the Centennial Farms selection team of Dr. Stephen Carr, Paula Parsons and Don Little, Jr. at the 2009 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $260,000.
The colt now shows a record of 2-1-1 from 4 starts for $60,250. Arch Traveler is currently ranked as #25 on the NTRA Triple Crown prospects poll.
