(Edited NYRA/Saratoga Race Course report)

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – First Dude, who has finished top three in four straight Grade 1 races, arrived Tuesday at Saratoga Race Course in advance of his run in the Grade 1, $1 million Travers Stakes on Saturday, Aug. 28.

“He handled the plane ride very well and arrived in good condition at Saratoga,” said Tammy Fox, exercise rider for the imposing 3-year-old son of Stephen Got Even.

First Dude, owned by Donald R Dizney and trained by Dale Romans, galloped over the main track tomorrow at approximately 8 a.m., right before the break. He drew post position 4 for the Travers.

Since finishing fifth after a troubled trip in the Grade 1 Florida Derby, First Dude has not missed the board in four Grade 1 races, finishing third in the Blue Grass, second in the Preakness, third in the Belmont, and third in the Haskell Invitational, his most recent start.

NYRA Photograph/First Dude walks off the van.

TRAPPE SHOT TO RUN IN TRAVERS STAKES

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The connections of Trappe Shot, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin for Nicholas Brady’s Mill House, decided Wednesday to enter the colt in Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Travers Stakes rather than run in the Grade 1, $250,000 King’s Bishop on the same day.

“We’re all happy right now,” McLaughlin said. “We came to a conclusion, and we’re going to enter Trappe Shot in the Travers. The prestige of the Travers is very important to the Bradys and to the McLaughlins. Discreetly Mine looked like an even-money choice (in the King’s Bishop), but the Travers is wide open. It looks like there are seven horses who could win the Travers.”

Trappe Shot, a son of Tapit, was most recently second in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at MonmouthPark, his first start in graded stakes company. Prior to that he won four straight races at distances ranging from six furlongs to 1 1/16th miles and his record going into the Travers stands at 4-1-0 from six starts, with earnings of $387,050.

Trappe Shot drew post position 2.