Funfair gives Motion another BC starter

ELMONT, N.Y. - Trainer Graham Motion will now be represented in all three grass races on Breeders' Cup Day.

Motion, who is bringing defending Breeders' Cup Turf winner Better Talk Now and Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf runner-up Film Maker back for those races, will now saddle Funfair in the BC Mile here on Oct. 29.

Funfair earned his shot in the Mile by rallying up the rail and outkicking Artie Schiller to win the Grade 2, $300,000 by a head before 5,967 at Belmont Park. Artie Schiller, who was giving Funfair eight pounds while chasing a hot pace, will also run back in the Mile, a race he finished 12th in as the favorite last year.

Funfair, under Edgar Prado, stalked the pace in fourth, moved to the rail around the turn and rallied inside of Keep the Faith in deep stretch while Artie Schiller was in the three path. Funfair, a son of Singspiel, covered the mile in 1:32.95 and returned $29.20. The final time was the third fastest of 18 Kelsos run at one mile.

Funfair, owned by Cheveley Park Farm, is now 3 for 3 in this country since coming over from England earlier this year.

``I had a lot of confidence in this horse, he's a pretty neat horse,'' Motion said. ``He ran some big races in England. I think he's really suited to coming over here. I knew he'd like this course, I had a feeling he'd like these big turns.''

Motion said Funfair earned the right to run in the Breeders' Cup where he will face Leroidesanimaux, who has won eight races in a row.

``I don't like the idea of running against Leroidesanimaux, but racing is racing and this was a big prep,'' he said. ``How can I fault what he's done? How can I not take a shot after this?

Artie Schiller, the 9-5 favorite, ran a game race as he chased Keep the Faith through fractions of 22.98 seconds, 45.11, 1:08.58. He finally got past Keep the Faith in deep stretch, but could not fend off the winner.

``My horse broke real sharp and got his position pretty handily,'' Migliore said. ``To be honest with you I had to work real hard to get by [Keep the Faith] so if I leave him [alone] longer I don't get by him.''

Trainer Jimmy Jerkens felt that Artie Schiller would have won had he had an inside post.

``Rushing him off his feet had to take something out of him, but he tried as hard as he could try,'' Jerkens said. ``I thought he ran gallant.''