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KENTUCKY DERBY REPORT JANUARY 28, 2015 by James Scully Upstart (Flatter) was sensational in Saturday's Holy Bull (G2) at Gulfstream Park, romping to a 5 1/2-length victory. His eye-catching 105 BRIS Speed rating is even more impressive given how wide he traveled throughout the 1 1/16-mile race (more than 30 feet farther than both the runner-up and third-placer). The New York-bred colt has clearly improved at age three for trainer Richard Violette Jr., a key attribute for any Kentucky Derby hopeful with two-year-old form. Upstart was easy to identify as a possible Kentucky Derby contender entering his sophomore season but lacked fanfare -- his 53-1 odds in Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (November 28-30) were more indicative of a second-tier prospect. The dark bay captured his first two starts over state-bred rivals in a pair of sprints at Saratoga, including the 6 1/2-furlong Funny Cide. In his first attempt against open rivals, he offered a solid middle move to record a non-threatening second in Champagne Stakes (G1) last October and followed with a respectable third in his 2014 finale, finishing 6 1/2 lengths behind the winning Texas Red (Afleet Alex) in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). By virtue of his Holy Bull tour-de-force, Upstart will be among the favorites in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (February 6-8). He's by the A.P. Indy stallion Flatter, whose runners tend to improve with age, and is out of a mare by Belmont Stakes winner Touch Gold. The presence of champion sprinter Housebuster, sire of the second maternal dam, adds a nice mix of speed to Upstart's stamina-infused bloodlines. Violette was also on last year's Kentucky Derby trail with another New York-bred, Samraat, who opened 2014 with smart wins in the Withers (G3) and Gotham (G3) before a second in the TwinSpires Wood Memorial (G1). But Samraat lacked a favorable pedigree for classic distances (out of an Indian Charlie mare) and wound up fifth in the 140th Kentucky Derby. Upstart continued to display good tactical speed in the Holy Bull, racing within a couple of lengths of the early pace, and netted a 107 BRIS Late Pace rating while winning convincingly. He's got a lot going for him. Frosted (Tapit) remains highly promising. After concluding last year with a commendable second in the Remsen (G2), the Kiaran McLaughlin trainee was bet down to 3-2 favoritism in the Holy Bull but had to settle for runner-up honors once again. The well-bred gray colt saved ground from his innermost post position, stalking the pace in fourth during the early stages, and finished up nicely to be clear of third-placer Bluegrass Singer (Bluegrass Cat). Frosted equaled his 98 BRIS Speed rating from the Remsen and earned a 101 Late Pace. It will be no surprise to see him keep moving forward off the encouraging performance. Bluegrass Singer saved third in his two-turn bow, but the stakes-winning gelding probably doesn't want any part of longer distances. Late runners Keen Ice (Curlin), Frammento (Midshipman) and First Down (Street Sense) all failed to make a significant impact; their connections will be hoping for much more next time. Debut winner Khozan (Distorted Humor) is behind the proverbial eight-ball, making such a late career debut on January 24, but the Todd Pletcher-trained colt is one to watch following his impressive maiden tally on the Holy Bull undercard. A half-brother to three-time champion and $4.8-million earner Royal Delta, the $1 million yearling drew off sharply to a 3 3/4-length decision and earned a 103 BRIS Speed rating after completing seven furlongs in 1:23.63. His performance was flattered by Barbados (Speightstown), who stopped the teletimer in 1:24.39 winning the Hutcheson (G3) one race later as the 3-5 favorite. Upcoming There are no scoring races this weekend, but Texas Red will make his three-year-old bow in Sunday's seven-furlong San Vicente (G2) at seven furlongs.
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