by Jeff Lowe

The connections of Travers Stakes (G1) runner-up Grasshopper are leaning toward the Super Derby powered by Youbet.com (G2) on September 22 at Louisiana Downs for his next start, trainer Neil Howard said on Wednesday.

The Dixie Union colt finished a half-length behind Street Sense while making his stakes debut in the Travers on August 25 at Saratoga Race Course. He also won a 1 1/8-mile allowance/optional claiming race on July 30 at Saratoga.

Howard trains Grasshopper for owners William S. Farish and Edward J. Hudson Jr.

The Super Derby also is one of the five races trainer Carl Nafzger listed as options for Street Sense’s final prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic Powered by Dodge (G1).

Jeff Lowe is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer