Manhattan Up shortens up to a sprint

ARCADIA, Calif. – Drinks are on the house if Manhattan Up wins the seventh-race feature Friday at Santa Anita.

It won’t be easy. Manhattan Up, an improving colt trained by Phil Oviedo, faces four legitimate rivals in the six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds.

Peter Miller entered high-figure starter Bump Bailey and stakes-placed Savagery; John Sadler entered two-time winner Nice Work, and Bob Hess Jr. entered improving stretch-runner Moonoverthebayou. It’s an interesting first-level allowance, despite the small field.

Oviedo is confident Manhattan Up will deliver a top effort while shortening up from two turns to one.

“He’s perfect right now to go short,” Oviedo said this week.

Manhattan Up also will provide an early read on the form of Santa Anita Derby probable starters Roadster and Nolo Contesto.

Last time out in an allowance route, Manhattan Up finished third, only three lengths behind Roadster and a half-length behind Nolo Contesto. Considering his rider dropped the whip and the distance was farther than preferred, Manhattan Up ran super.

“I was kind of suspect if he wants to go long,” Oviedo acknowledged. “And he ran against monsters the last two times.”

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Two starts back, Manhattan Up finished fourth to Grade 1-placed Extra Hope.

The sprint distance and pace scenario Friday suit Manhattan Up, whose autumn maiden victory was his most recent sprint. If Manhattan Up runs well Friday, Oviedo will target the Grade 3, seven-furlong Lazaro Barrera Stakes on May 18.

As for “drinks on the house,” it is not a joke. Manhattan Up is named for the cocktail, and owned by longtime Oviedo clients John Warren and Charles Gust. The Gust family owns Nick’s Restaurant, a steak and seafood restaurant in the coastal town of Pacifica, south of San Francisco.

Friday afternoon at Nick’s, television sets will be tuned to TVG commentary from hosts Dave Weaver and Simon Bray. In a phone interview this week, Gust confirmed that the bartender at Nick’s will be pouring Manhattan Ups. If the horse wins, drinks are free.

KEY CONTENDERS

Manhattan Up, by Street Boss

Last 3 Beyers: 86-73-NA

He figures for a good trip just off the pace under Tiago Pereira. Oviedo said he “popped some speed” into Manhattan Up with a bullet work March 21, followed by a deliberately slow drill March 28.

Savagery, by Bellamy Road

Last 3 Beyers: 59-76-52

Entry-level allowance winner two back and stakes-placed twice, Savagery is entered for the optional $80,000 claim tag. Joe Talamo rides the San Luis Rey Downs-based front-runner.

Bump Bailey, by Fed Biz

Beyer: 91

His convincing debut requires an asterisk, as it was at 5 1/2 furlongs on a sloppy track. Like stablemate Savagery, Bump Bailey is a front-runner. Drayden Van Dyke rides.

Nice Work, by Midnight Lute

Last 3 Beyers: 74-71-59

He set the pace all three of his dirt sprints, including two victories against easier company. Victor Espinoza rides.

Moonoverthebayou, by New Year’s Day

Last 3 Beyers: 75-50-70

He rallied from last to win a maiden race Golden Gate in his fourth start. Kent Desormeaux rides.