SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — Orb is back after a two-month escape from New York, and trainer Shug McGaughey is hoping his Kentucky Derby star returns to his winning ways in the $1 million Travers Stakes on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.
After the Derby extended his win streak to five, Orb ran fourth in the Preakness and third in the Belmont. The 3-year-old colt was then vanned to Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Md., for rest and relaxation following the Triple Crown grind.
McGaughey is expecting a big effort even though Orb is the third choice at 4-1 behind the Todd Pletcher-trained duo of 2-1 favorite Verrazano and 5-2 Palace Malice.
Also entered are Romansh, Golden Soul, Will Take Charge, Moreno, War Dancer and Transparent.
