Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Seize the Grey will bypass the Aug. 24 Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course in favor of the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing Sept. 21. The news was confirmed by Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas Aug. 13.
"We thought he had a couple of tough races," Lukas said. "I thought that we would give him this break and the Pennsylvania Derby fit us a lot better."
Lukas felt the colt had a legitimate excuse when fourth in the July 27 Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) after showing signs of illness during the saddling process. Showing no further signs after the race, the colt returned to training but Lukas still felt it was best to wait an extra month for his next start.
Seize the Grey returned to the worktab Aug. 5 by breezing five furlongs in :59.60 and then went an easier five furlongs in 1:01.44 Aug. 12.
"Everything was good, one of his best," Lukas said of the most recent work.
Prior to the Jim Dandy, owner MyRacehorse reached an agreement for a stallion deal with Gainesway. The value of the deal was set to increase by $3 million should the son of Arrogate win the Travers.
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Lukas said that all parties were in agreement when deciding to bypass the Travers. Seize the Grey would still earn a $2 million kicker for winning the Pennsylvania Derby and remain eligible for more kickers related to victories at the Breeders' Cup and Eclipse Awards.
"Everybody's fine with that, they just want to win races," Lukas said.
