Upstart eyes Oaklawn Handicap for next start

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Upstart’s objective this year is to become a Grade 1 winner, and he ran like he’s down with the plan in Saturday’s Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn. Upstart was launching his 4-year-old season in the Grade 3, $350,000 race and was a sweeping, one-length winner. It was his first start since September.

“It was pretty impressive off the layoff,” trainer Rick Violette said. “He was four to five wide both turns and made a very long run. He launched his bid at the half-mile pole and ran through to the wire.”

Upstart is now back at his Palm Meadows base in south Florida and could return to Arkansas for the Grade 2, $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap on April 16. The race is at 1 1/8 miles and last year Upstart earned his best career Beyer Speed Figure, a 108, at the distance when second in the Florida Derby.

“We’ll give him every opportunity to make the Oaklawn Handicap,” Violette said. “He likes the racetrack, obviously.”

Violette said he will see how things come together for Upstart on a schedule he feels could be tight for the horse. He said the upcoming Grade 1 options for Upstart are the $1.25 million Metropolitan Handicap on June 11 at Belmont Park or the $500,000 Stephen Foster on June 18 at Churchill Downs.

“It will be one start before then, so we have to be careful with his next start,” Violette said.

Upstart, a son of Flatter, has placed in four Grade 1 races during his career. Violette said he was grateful for his stable’s teamwork bringing the horse up to a winning seasonal debut in the Razorback, among his key staff members Melissa Cohen, his assistant at Palm Meadows.

Upstart has now won 4 of 12 starts and $1,460,280. He races for Ralph M. Evans and WinStar Farm.