Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Epicenter, who came up just shy of Grade 1 glory twice this spring in the Triple Crown, secured both his first top-level victory and a place at the top of the sophomore division with an emphatic 5 1/4-length victory under Joel Rosario in the 153rd renewal of the 10-furlong Grade 1, $1.25 million Runhappy Travers on Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen was rewarded for his patience throughout the year with Epicenter after watching the son of Not This Time finish a frustrating second in both the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and Grade 1 Preakness. Epicenter bounced back from his troubled Preakness finish with a triumphant return victory by 1 1/2 lengths in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy on July 30 at the Spa.

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