What's Up Bro needs his best race in Damon Runyon
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OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer Bob Klesaris believes What’s Up Bro is pretty talented. He just wishes the 3-year-old gelding would show it on a more consistent basis.
“He hasn’t put two good ones back-to-back yet,” Klesaris said.
What’s Up Bro, coming off a good-looking allowance win last month, will get a chance to do just that Sunday when he faces stakes winner Andiamo a Firenze and four others in the $100,000 Damon Runyon Stakes for New York-bred 3-year-olds at Aqueduct.
What’s Up Bro debuted last November and finished fifth behind Looms Boldly – also in this field. What’s Up Bro had the rail that day and caught a muddy track and Klesaris felt the horse probably needed the race. He returned on Dec. 10 to win a maiden race by eight lengths.
In his first against winners, What’s Up Bro was part of a contested pace and faded to third. That was at a time when Aqueduct’s main track was playing very slow.
“I don’t know if it was the track or just that he broke so sharp and went head and head for the lead,” Klesaris said. “He’s got more speed than you think.”
Last time out, What’s Up Bro tried to flash that speed, but jockey Dylan Davis did a good job getting him behind horses. Davis was able to get him in the clear turning for home and, despite not changing leads, What’s Up Bro drew off to win by 3 1/4 lengths.
“He changed leads in the two races he didn’t run well,” Klesaris said. “The two races he won he didn’t change leads.”
What’s Up Bro drew the rail Saturday and Klesaris is hoping Davis can get him covered up again.
Trainer Kelly Breen, who entered the weekend with 999 career wins, finally gets to run Andiamo a Firenze at six furlongs after ill-fated appearances in the Jerome going a mile and the 1 1/8-mile Withers, where he wound up fifth.
At 2, when running six furlongs, Andiamo a Firenze won the Funny Cide Stakes last summer at Saratoga and was beaten a nose in the New York Breeders’ Futurity Stakes at Finger Lakes in October.
“Hopefully, sprinting him, he’ll go back to himself,” Breen said. “It looks like he was getting a little discouraged by trying to go too far. After a really nice workout last week, we should be in good shape going back to six furlongs.”
Trevor McCarthy rides Andiamo a Firenze from post 3.
Breen also entered East Coast Girl, who won for maiden $40,000 claiming on Jan. 27 before finishing second behind repeating winner Toxic Gray in a starter allowance on March 5.
D’ont Lose Cruz, like Andiamo a Firenze, should appreciate the turnback to six furlongs. He has two wins and two seconds at the distance and likely found the mile of the Gander Stakes too far when he finished fourth.
Looms Boldly beat What’s Up Bro last Nov. 12 before finishing third behind him on Feb. 20.
Bobby Ride, unraced since a seven-length maiden victory at Finger Lakes last August, returns to the races for trainer Karl Grusmark.
The Damon Runyon goes as race 8 on a nine-race card that begins at 1:20 p.m.
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