Upstart stays perfect with strong performance in inaugural Funny Cide

Sunday, August 24th, 2014

by Sarah Mace

Ralph M. Evans’ Upstart (Flatter) is now a perfect two-for-two after running down loose-on-the-lead Bustin It to win the inaugural running of the $200,000 Funny Cide for New York-bred 2-year-olds. The Funny Cide was the first of six stakes races worth $1.15 million on the special 11-race card of the first Saratoga Showcase Day on Sunday.

An eye-catching debut maiden breaker at the Spa just nine days earlier for trainer Rick Violette when he rallied to win by five-plus lengths and earn a Beyer Speed Figure of 85, Upstart was reunited with jockey Jose Ortiz as he stretched out from 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 furlongs in his second career start.

After the break, the race was all about the speedy Bustin It (Bustin Stones), winner of the Rockville Center Stakes for state-breds last out at Belmont on July 13. As Bustin It opened up daylight on the field, Upstart, fifth at the break, came off the rail and improved his position to second rounding the far turn.

Upstart began to make up ground on his rival in the latter part of the turn and upper stretch, advanced ever closer in the final furlong, but did not take over until the final strides before going on to win by one length with a flying finish. Runner up Bustin It crossed the wire more than eight lengths ahead of Bullheaded Boy, followed by Good Luck Gus and Tax Package. After a half-mile in 45.62. six furlongs in 1:09.86, the final time for 6 1/2 furlongs was 1:16.23. [VIDEO]

Jockey Jose Ortiz said, “I was hoping there was going to be more of a speed duel between the number four [Bullheaded Boy] and the number five [Bustin It], so the number five broke so good and took the lead so easily. When I saw that, I figured out quick I needed to move a little earlier. By the quarter-pole I was driving already, but my horse was ready. I got there little by little.”

Violette saw the race the same way. “He actually broke well and Jose [Ortiz] just put his hands down and let him fall where he was going to be and he kind of fell out the back door. I really thought Todd [Pletcher]’s horse [Bullheaded Boy] was going to show more speed and hook up with [Bustin It] horse and he didn’t. He opened up another five [lengths] in front and he was still out the back door.”

Continued Violette, “He had horse, you could see he had horse, but you just weren’t sure that he could make up that much ground on a pretty nice horse that was loose on the lead.”

Violette explained why Upstart was supplemented to the race. “We just broke our maiden nine days ago, I really wasn’t planning on it. But he won kind of easily and it sets us up better running today for the fall than waiting and going to the Champagne [Grade 1, October 4, Belmont Park] with only one race under his belt. That was kind of the game plan.”

Keeneland is also an option for the ridgling. “We’ll nominate to the [Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity on October 4 at Keeneland], too; basically the two-turn races are what you’re supposed to do, but I think we’ll probably stay home. This is a really good prep for anything we do. It worked out pretty good.”

Concluded Violette, “He had a tough race today. He’ll be a tired puppy tonight. But he’s got an extra week to recuperate. He showed that he might be a real horse.”

Owner Ralph Evans, who purchased Upstart on Violette’s advice at last year’s Fasig-Tipton New York-bred yearling sale from the Summerfield consignment for $130,000 said, “I think it’s very very rewarding for Rick as well as for me. I’ve had some very lean years. The last stake horse I had was in 2004 so that’s ten years. It’s been a long time between drinks, but I’ve persevered.” Evans campaigned Florida-bred Free of Love who won the Grade 3 Westchester and, at three, ran second in the Grade 1 Jim Dandy.

Evans continued, “Rick has always done the best he could with what I gave him. I’m not an immensely wealthy man so I can’t throw as much money at the horses as some other people do. But I have my budget, I spend it every year.” Evans added with a smile, “As I get older and the actuarial table is creeping up on me, if I have a good one I keep him.”

Mrs. Gerald A. Nielsen, the breeder of Upstart, who was foaled at her Sunnyfield Farm in Bedford, was delighted with the victory, but also with the quality of the race. “You know there was a very very good horse alongside him and they’re both new York-breds and I’m thrilled they’re so good. I’m thrilled he won, though. I’m happy for all of these good ones.”

Upstart, who has earned $148,815 from his two winning starts, is the first winner for his dam Party Silks, an unraced daughter of Touch Gold also bred by Mrs. Nielsen. His second dam is stakes placed and third dam is a stakes winner.

Posted in: RACING