Haskell winner Paynter to skip Travers Stakes
Owner Ahmed Zayat indicated on his Twitter account Monday afternoon that Grade 1 winner Paynter has been withdrawn from consideration for the Travers Stakes (G1) on August 25 at Saratoga Race Course.
“Paynter update.” Zayat wrote. “Tack walked again. [Zayat’s sons Justin and Benjamin] went training with [trainer] Bob Baffert at Del Mar. Bob told Justin tell your dad to trust me … This colt is special. Let’s not run him in Travers. He won’t be ready in time. Too close. Will never go against my trainer’s word. Especially … when it comes to Bob Baffert. NO TRAVERS FOR PAYNTER.”
The three-year-old Awesome Again colt developed a fever in the days following his victory on July 29 in the Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park, and he was sent to the Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center in Ringoes, New Jersey on July 31, according to paperwork filed in the Monmouth Park stall office. He was released and arrived at Belmont Park on August 10, where Baffert said the horse would be monitored on a day-to-day basis in regards to his next start. Paynter has not registered a public workout since the Haskell.
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2012/08/13/paynter-to-skip-travers-stakes.aspx
