Barry K Schwartz’s NOTHING BUT FUN (Dixie Union) kept her record unblemished
from
four attempts on Saturday when the Michael Hushion trainee captured the $300,000
Cotillion H. (G2) at Philadelphia Park. The dark bay rated in fifth as 2-5
favorite Indian Vale (A.P. Indy) led the 1 1/16-mile fast track affair in splits of :23
2/5 and :46 4/5. Amazing Buy (High Yield) briefly took the lead, getting six
furlongs in 1:11 2/5, but weakened late. Nothing but Fun went wide on the final
turn and battled gamely to the wire, stopping the clock in 1:46 3/5 and winning by a nose.
“I don’t know if it was because it was her first race going long, but she
seemed to lose focus on the far turn,” said jockey Richard Migliore. “I went
from wondering about how much I’d win by to whether or not I’d hit the board.
I’m really proud of her. After the lapse on the turn, she got herself back on
the proper lead, back to running and just gutted it out to the end. She kind of
did everything wrong and she still got it done.”
Sent off at 4-1, the sophomore miss returned $10, $5.80 and $4.20, keying the
$49.20 exacta and $152.20 trifecta (2-4-3). Yolanda B. Too (Two Punch) broke slowly, but
recovered and battled between opponents to just miss at the wire, giving back
$5.20 and $3.80 for the place. Shebelongstoyou (Belong to Me) held on to third to pay $4.60.
Amazing Buy, Indian Vale and Toll Taker (Bernstein) rounded out the order of
finish. I’mtoogoodtobetrue (Good and Tough) was scratched from the race.
Nothing but Fun was bred in Kentucky by Diamond A Racing Corporation and is
out of the winning mare Zepa (Theatrical [Ire]). The winner now shows a
bankroll of $281,700 from her perfect four-race record. She was purchased for
$150,000 at the 2003 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.