UPSTART remains undefeated in two starts after his one-length win in Saratoga’s $200,000 Funny Cide S. After making slight contact with another just out of the gate, the 2-year-old son of FLATTER took to the rail in the early going under a snug hold. He began his rally around the turn of this 6 1/2-furlong sprint and eventually wore down the pacesetter, a previous Belmont stakes winner, in the stretch to get the win, earning a 95 Beyer. UPSTART, a $130,000 Saratoga yearling sales grad won his debut here only nine days earlier. In that Maiden Special Weight, he overcame traffic problems around the turn, split horses in upper stretch and drove away from the field in a hand ride to win impressively by 5 1/4 lengths, earning an 85 Beyer. Bred by Mrs. Gerald A. Nielsen out of the Touch Gold mare Party Silks and racing for Ralph M. Evans, the G1 Champagne S. or Keeneland’s G1 Breeders’ Futurity may be the next start forUPSTART according to trainer Rick Violette.
