Chasing Artie holds off The Virginian to win Bob Umphrey Sprint
A drop in class and switch in venue combined to put Chasing Artie back in the winner’s circle after the versatile gelding withstood a late bid from The Virginian to register a three-quarter-length victory in the $100,000 Bob Umphrey Sprint, run for the first time Sunday over Gulfstream Park’s Tapeta surface.
Chasing Artie had faced Grade 1 and Grade 2 competition in his last two starts, finishing 13th and eighth respectively in the Jaipur at Belmont Park and Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs. He also was returning to a synthetic track for the first time since finishing third in Woodbine’s Woodstock Stakes one year earlier.
With jockey Edgard Zayas aboard, Chasing Artie recovered from a bit of a slow start to race within easy striking distance of the pacesetting Warrior’s Pride, who won the 2021 Umphrey decided at five furlongs on turf. Chasing Artie rallied three wide to closer contention leaving the turn, gained command near midstretch, edged clear, and then held safe The Virginian’s final surge.
The Virginian saved ground down the backstretch, eased outside into the stretch, finished willingly when roused, and was gaining gradually on the winner at the end. Tape to Tape, who attended the early leader, held on to be third.
Chasing Artie is a 4-year-old homebred son of We Miss Artie owned by Kenneth and the Estate of the late Sarah Ramsey. A multiple stakes winner at 3 with his former trainer, Wesley Ward, Chasing Artie is currently under the tutelage of Saffie Joseph Jr. He completed 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.71 and paid $8.20.
Chasing Artie gave Zayas his first stakes victory since recently returning to the saddle following a six-month absence due to shoulder surgery.
“At Churchill he ran sneaky good after he missed the break. We got ambitious and took a chance at Belmont. He didn’t fire that day,” Joseph said. “We stepped down a notch today, and he was able to win.”