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By Sarah Mace
Trainer Rick Violette had Upstart just where he hoped he would be after six months on the bench for the talented ridgling’s 2016 debut Saturday in the Grade 3, $350,000 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park. Upstart relaxed early, launched a sustained bid from midway on the far turn and drove relentlessly toward a one-length victory over nine rivals in the 1 1/16-mile dirt contest.
Violette commented last week on the ridgling’s lay-off and development from three to four. “He had a long, hard season as a 3-year-old, and we thought it best to give him some time off,” said Violette. “He is bigger, stronger. He’s filled out – what you would hope for.” Violette originally targeted the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Handicap on March 5 for Upstart’s 2016 debut, but deemed his charge needed a couple more weeks before his first race and opted for the Razorback.
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Conceding two to eight pounds to his rivals as the 120-pound highweight on Saturday, and bet down to 5-2 favoritism in the field of ten under jockey Joe Bravo, Upstart bided his time in the early stages of the race after breaking from post eight. He traveled in seventh about a half-dozen lengths off the pace while negotiating the clubhouse turn three wide. Up front, pacesetter Shotgun Kowboy clocked the first quarter mile at a good clip in :23.15 and moderated the pace for a quarter in :47.50.
After cruising down the backstretch, Upstart began to come under some extra encouragement as he rounded the far turn five wide. Showing no hint of leg-weariness in the stretch, the blaze-faced dark bay kept driving relentlessly to the lead . . . and the wire, gaining the top spot with a furlong to go and driving home for a one-length victory. After a mile run in 1:37.77, he stopped the clock at 1:44.12.
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Said jockey Joe Bravo, “I’m going to give full credit to the whole Rick Violette team for bringing this horse together. When you’re off that long, it’s tough to get a horse ready to run. He left there really nicely, relaxed really good the first turn. Probably a little farther back than Rick wanted. But, he was so comfortable and relaxed. I was really happy the way he was going.”
Bravo continued, “You saw the move he made around the turn. He’s back. He’s a pretty nice horse. He proved it to everybody. I’m just glad he’s a big, happy horse for the rest of the season.”
Said Violette, “I couldn’t be happier. He gave up ground on both turns but he was resolute up the lane. He ran right through. He’s back to where we hoped he would be and I’m thrilled.”
Bred by Mrs. Gerald A. Nielsen and foaled at her Sunnyfield Farm in Bedford, Upstart was purchased by owner Ralph Evans on Violette’s advice at the 2013 Fasig-Tipton New York-bred yearling sale from the Summerfield consignment for $130,000. WinStar Farm acquired a minority interest in the horse last April.
A real looker from the start, Upstart waged two strong back-to-back campaigns at two and three. Winner of his 5 1/2-furlong Saratoga debut from off the pace by open lengths, he followed up just nine days later with a victory as a supplemental entry to the state-bred Funny Cide Stakes. Upstart wrapped up the year with a wide-trip second to Daredevil in the slop in the Grade 1 Champagne at Belmont before shipping out west to run a strong third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
In 2015 Upstart emerged as a top contender for the Kentucky Derby in three starts at Gulfstream Park. Dominant winner of the Grade 2 Holy Bull in his sophomore debut, Upstart was controversially disqualified from a clear victory in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth. He then ran second in the Grade 1 Florida Derby. Unplaced in the Kentucky Derby, Upstart ran three more times in 2015, finishing third in the Grade 1 Haskell to American Pharoah, fourth in the Travers and fifth in the Pennsylvania Derby. To date he has earned $1,460,280 in 12 starts from four wins, three seconds and two thirds.
