Shipsational gets mulligan in Bongard
ELMONT, N.Y. – Going into the Funny Cide Stakes last month at Saratoga, trainer Ed Barker thought his debut-winning 2-year-old Shipsational had a chance to win. Coming out of the starting gate, Shipsational’s chances were all but eliminated as he got bounced around from both sides, ultimately finishing fourth, 4 1/2 lengths behind Senbei.
Sunday, Shipsational gets another shot at Senbei when the two are part of a five-horse field entered to run seven furlongs in the $150,000 Bertram F. Bongard Stakes for New York-bred juveniles at Belmont Park.
“I don’t know if I was going to win, but I definitely should have been in the money,” Barker said. “When you have a young horse like that out of position early, at least he showed some courage and certainly some ability to run the way he did. I just want to see him get a fair break and let him run his race.”
Shipsational broke well and ran his race on debut, recording a 6 3/4-length victory in a 5 1/2-furlong race on July 18 at Saratoga. He sat a stalking second that day before taking command at the top of the lane. He has the rail Sunday, so Luis Saez will certainly try to get him out of the gate to establish position.
“He does have early speed but he doesn’t need to be in front,” Barker said. “He’s always had a target when we trained him in the morning.”
He is likely to have at least two targets on Sunday in the form of Senbei and Surprise Boss. Senbei has won both of his starts in front-running fashion under Manny Franco. He drew the rail in both of his first two starts.
In the Funny Cide, Senbei broke just fair but soon made the front and drew clear for a dominant victory.
“He rode him for four or five strides and he jumped on the bit and he showed a lot of speed after that, but he doesn’t have to be on the lead,” trainer Christophe Clement said. “We worked him from in front and from behind, and the works have been the same.”
Happy Happy B was to be scratched out of a maiden race Saturday to run in the Bongard. He is coming off a third-place finish in the Funny Cide, and trainer Robertino Diodoro likes the outside draw and the potential setup of the race.
“I like our chances. I think the horse is going to improve,” Diodoro said. “He worked back really good, short field, and he drew to the outside.”
Whittington Park, coming off a 7 1/2-length maiden win Aug. 28, is another likely to show speed.