Zito pointing Da'Tara toward Travers

Jun 8, 2008 - 6:45 PM ELMONT, New York (Ticker) - Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito said Sunday that he is pointing Belmont Stakes winner Da'Tara toward the Travers Stakes later this summer.

After skipping the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, Da'Tara spoiled Big Brown's bid at winning the Triple Crown on Saturday by going wire-to-wire en route to winning the 1 1/2-mile Belmont.

Zito said both Da'Tara and stablemate Anak Nakal, who finished in a dead heat for third in the Belmont, could run in the Travers at Saratoga on August 23.

"Da'Tara, obviously the main goal is the Travers," Zito said. "I learned one thing, Da'Tara likes to be close to the pace. So, probably the Jim Dandy (at Saratoga on July 27) and the Travers.

"We'll see what the boys want to do with Anak Nakal, but the Travers could be for him, too."

It was the second Belmont win for Zito, who in 2004 also spoiled a Triple Crown bid when Birdstone overtook Smarty Jones.