Funwhileitlasted looks to turn tables on Sport Model in Statue of Liberty

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trip players will be lying in wait for Funwhileitlasted when the improving New York-bred turf specialist returns against a familiar group Wednesday at Saratoga in the $150,000 Statue of Liberty Division of the New York Stallion Series for 3-year-old fillies on the grass.

The first five finishers from the June 19 opening division of the series were entered to go a mile in the Statue of Liberty, including Sport Model, who parlayed a perfect stalking trip into a half-length victory going seven furlongs at Belmont Park. But it was runner-up Funwhileitlasted who was arguably best in the race after fanning extremely wide to commence her rally into the stretch, then getting knocked sideways at the top of the lane. She finished best of all down the center of the course under jockey Jose Lezcano. The 78 Beyer Speed Figure she earned that day was 13 points better than her previous high.

“It was a tough trip last time, no doubt, but she’s done nothing wrong since,” said J. Kent Sweezey, who trains Funwhileitlasted for Turf Racing Stable LLC. “She’s coming into the race as good as she can, and timing-wise this race works out great.”

Sweezey also thinks the stretch to a mile for the second round of the series is in his filly’s favor. Funwhileitlasted has already run six races at a mile, five of them on turf, with a win, a second, and a third to show for those efforts.

“I love, love the distance, and the fact she’s never run over this course before is not an issue,” said Sweezey. “She goes good on about anything.”

Lezcano became the ninth jockey in as many starts to ride Funwhileitlasted in her most recent outing, and Sweezey is delighted to have him back aboard again on Wednesday.

“I’m not a Chad Brown, Todd Pletcher, or Bill Mott, so when I come to Saratoga I need to find a rider who’ll believe in me as well as the filly, and fortunately Jose fits the bill,” said Sweezey. “I had a good rapport with him when I worked for Jimmy Jerkens, and I called his agent right after the last race to make sure we’d get the call back for this one. I’m really psyched about coming back [to New York] with her again.”

Sport Model has bounced back to win two races in a row after clipping heels and losing jockey Junior Alvarado a quarter-mile into her turf debut on April 22 at Belmont. She was reserved just off the pacesetting Shaker Shack on June 19, her stakes debut, readily took command, and opened a comfortable advantage through midstretch. She held safe the final surge from Funwhileitlasted, also earning far and away her best Beyer Figure, a 79.

Show Me the Honey was beaten 8 1/4 lengths by Sport Model on June 19, but pretty much lost all chance when she veered in and broke well behind the others from her inside post. Like Funwhileitlasted, she should appreciate the added distance of the race.

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Shaker Shack, who finished a tiring third after relinquishing the lead to Sport Model last time when making her grass debut, has been entered main-track only. Rounding out the field are Byhubbyhellomoney, the maiden Exact Change, Big Time Lady, and her stablemate Shesadirtydancer.