Upstart back off short rest for Funny Cide
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Rick Violette spent plenty of time educating the talented New York-bred 2-year-old Upstart prior to his first start, working him behind and between horses and letting him take dirt. That schooling paid big dividends after Upstart had to overcome a tough trip in traffic en route to an impressive 5 1/2-length victory in his debut.
Violette will wheel Upstart back on just nine days’ rest when he takes on just four other statebred juveniles going 6 1/2 furlongs in the $200,000 Funny Cide. The Funny Cide is one of two stakes for statebred juveniles Sunday at Saratoga, along with its filly counterpart, the $200,000 Seeking the Ante.
“This isn’t something I’d normally do, but he’s doing terrific and been real sharp mentally since his first race,” said Violette. “I’m basically treating this race as a breeze. And win, lose, or draw, it gets us a second race and gives us a normal time frame to sensibly point for the Champagne, if he warrants that. This race is certainly no layup. Both Bullheaded Boy and Bustin It are nice horses, but I think he’s talented enough to win.”
Bustin It is the lone stakes winner in the field, having won his maiden with a convincing seven-length victory in Belmont’s Rockville Center, although he appears to be facing far tougher competition in this spot.
Bullheaded Boy proved a game winner despite a rough start and wide trip when making his debut over a sloppy strip here earlier in the meet and figures to provide Bustin It with perhaps his only real competition for the lead in the Funny Cide.
Violette also will send out Graeme Crackers, one of six New York-bred fillies entered in the 6 1/2-furlong Seeking the Ante. Graeme Crackers was a game winner of her debut here July 18 but figures to offer some value behind the likely favorites Hard to Stay Notgo, Nonna Jo, and Myfourchix.
“Her pedigree says stretching out should help us, but she needs to run faster than when she broke her maiden,” said Violette.
Hard to Stay Notgo is the only member of the field to have won beyond 5 1/2 furlongs, coasting to an easy five-length win going six furlongs when debuting here earlier this month.
Funny Cide (Race 2)
Key contenders
Upstart (Last Beyer: 85)
* Owns the highest Beyer Speed Figure in the field but perhaps is eligible to bounce returning on short rest.
* He figures to sit a nice trip tracking the pace.
“We’re going to be somewhere behind the speed,” said Violette. “He’s already shown he can do that, and he’s supposed to improve as he stretches out.”
Bullheaded Boy (Last Beyer: 76)
* Must prove his big debut effort was not abetted by the wet track and that he’s capable of stretching out from five to 6 1/2 furlongs.
Bustin It (Last 2 Beyers 81-58)
* Looks like the controlling speed if away running as expected from his outside post.
* Gets to race at even weights with the others despite being the only stakes winner in the lineup.
Seeking the Ante (Race 5)
Key contenders
Hard to Stay Notgo (Last Beyer: 75)
* Gave every indication she’s remained sharp since her impressive debut when zipping a half mile in 47.24 seconds and doing so in hand earlier this week.
Nonna Jo (Last Beyers: 79)
* Owns the highest Beyer Speed Figure in the field and is another who comes off a sharp-looking bullet work since her last start.
Myfourchix (Last Beyer: 74)
* Flashed big speed despite breaking a step slow from tough inside post in her bow and is more favorably drawn on the outside.