D'Funnybone a runaway winner

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - It took until Day 20 of the meet, but there was finally a performance by a 2-year-old colt at Saratoga worth getting excited about.

D'Funnybone, purchased privately by Paul Pompa Jr. last month from Florida-based connections, ran away and hid from a seemingly decent group of juveniles to win the by 10 1/2 lengths. Zip Quik got up for second by a nose over Fearless Cowboy. They were followed in the order of finish by Insightful, Activity Report, Flatter Than Me, Tiny Woods, and Thiskyhasnolimit.

It was the second victory from three starts for D'Funnybone, a Florida-bred son of D'wildcat. He began his career with trainer Joseph Calascibetta, who trained him to a 7 1/4-length maiden win at Calder and a runner-up finish in the Frank Gomez Memorial Stakes. Bloodstock agent Nick Salusto brokered the deal on behalf of Pompa following that race and the horse was transferred to Rick Dutrow Jr.

In the Saratoga Special, D'Funnybone, under Edgar Prado, chased the hot early pace of seconds and 44.67 seconds established by California shipper Tiny Woods, the 5-2 favorite. D'Funnybone chased that pace racing outside of Thiskyhasnolimit.

Around the far turn, D'Funnybone left Thiskyhasnolimit and turning for home he collared Tiny Woods and drew clear under a busy Prado.

"I eased my horse alongside [Tiny Woods], he was very comfortable right there," Prado said. "The only thing was when he took the lead he was looking around a little bit. That's why I stayed pretty busy on him. It seems like he runs beautiful with a target."

D'Funnybone covered 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:17.58 and returned $10.40 to win. While it was the slowest Saratoga Special time in 10 years, the track appeared slowed by midday showers.

"I was very impressed by it," said Pompa, best known as being the part-owner of 2008 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown. "I just like to win but when they draw off like that at Saratoga you have to be very satisfied."

Mike Smith, the jockey aboard Tiny Woods, said he thought his horse was not breathing well during the running of the race.

Big day for Weaver

Trainer George Weaver went 3 for 3 on Thursday's card, including Perfect Officer in the $72,950 Solomon Northup Stakes. Weaver also won the third with Manitoba Miss ($11.60) and the seventh with the first-time starter Golly Day ($18.60).

"It's sweet," Weaver said after Golly Day's victory. "I've never won three in a day anywhere. To do it here is pretty special. We always try to gear up for this meet, and this is one of the biggest days I've ever had. I won a stakes and two other races. I feel pretty good about it."

Overall, Weaver has won four consecutive races dating back to Monday's finale, which he won with Try Your Best. For the meet, Weaver has 7 wins from 30 starters, putting him in a tie with Kiaran McLaughlin for fourth in the standings behind Linda Rice (11), Todd Pletcher (10), and Bill Mott (9).

Weaver has won seven races each of the previous two meets.

Walsh breaks collarbone

Steeplechase jockey Robert Walsh suffered a broken collarbone after his mount, Normandy Tower, fell over the final fence of Thursday's $70,00 Michael G. Walsh Novice Stakes. He will miss the final two weeks of the meet.

Though Normandy Tower lay on the turf for almost 10 minutes, she eventually got up, having suffered only from exhaustion.

Left Unsaid, a 4-year-old gelded son of Dynaformer, won the race by 8 1/4 lengths over 33-1 pacesetter Tricky Me. Left Unsaid ($7.10) covered the 2 3/8 miles in 4:36.78.