Still Having Fun shows new dimension in Whiteley

Still Having Fun has come a long way in a short time.

He won his November debut by 3 1/4 lengths and then came back to finished second by a neck in the Maryland Futurity last month. On Saturday in the $100,000 Frank Whiteley Jr. Stakes, he showed how much he has developed by rating behind horses early, then exploding through an opening along the rail nearing the stretch.

He overtook front-running favorite Wentz from the inside in upper stretch and pulled off to a 4 1/2-length victory under jockey Feargal Lynch.

"We decided to take him back today," Lynch said. "The last time he was up close and he wasn't ready for that. When the gap opened along the inside today, he shot through it."

Still Having Fun was bred by trainer Tim Keefe and Mr. and Mrs. Charles McGinnes. Gary and Barber and Wachtel Stable bought into the horse after his debut victory.

"He has what you can't teach a horse, the desire to win," Keefe said. "He's talented, has the ability, and just wants to win."

Still Having Fun paid $7 to win and covered seven furlongs in 1:23.05.

Wentz set fractions of 22.84 and 46.37 in the seven-furlong race for 3-year-olds. He ducked outward in midstretch after being passed by the winner and finished second, a half-length in front of 11-1 V. I. P. Code. West Virginia shipper William and Mary was fourth.

Old Time Revival was fractious in the gate and then hopped in the air at the start.