Upstart too strong in winning Holy Bull Stakes

Hallandale Beach, FL (SportsNetwork.com) – Upstart, the 2-1 second pick, pulled away down stretch to capture Saturday’s $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

The 1 1/16-mile Holy Bull, with nine 3-year-olds, had 3-1 third choice Bluegrass Singer setting the pace. He led the closely bunched field up the backstretch with Upstart and jockey Jose Ortiz right behind and 3-2 favorite Frosted running fourth.

Upstart, trained by Richard Violette, easily moved to the lead entering the stretch and proceeded to pull away to a 5 1/2-length win over Frosted with Bluegrass Singer holding on for third.

“You never know if they make the grade from 2 to 3, but today it looks like he stepped up,” said Violette.

Juan and Bina was fourth followed by Keen Ice, Frammento, First Down, Decision Day and High Noon Rider who was eased. Dom the Bomb was scratched to run in the earlier Hutcheson Stakes.

The time for the Holy Bull on a fast track was 1:43.61.

The victory was worth 10 points for Upstart to enter the Kentucky Derby on May 2. The 3-year-old now has a total of 16 points in the Kentucky Derby points system.

Owned by Ralph Evans, Upstart pocketed $240,000 with Saturday’s victory. He has won three of five starts for $703,800.

Upstart won his first two starts, including the Funny Cide Stakes, at Saratoga and was second in Belmont Park’s Champagne Stakes. He finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Nov. 1.

Upstart paid $6.20, $3.20 and $2.40. Frosted returned $3.00 and $2.40, and Bluegrass Singer paid $2.80 to show.

Next for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream is the Fountain of Youth on Feb. 21 with the Florida Derby on March 28.

Categorized in: Horses