Mr. Fantasy back on track in Withers

Mr. Fantasy ran like a dream (Ross Woodson/Horsephotos.com) West Point Thoroughbreds et al’s MR. FANTASY (E Dubai), who was taken out of consideration for the Kentucky Derby (G1) following his first loss in the March 7 Gotham S. (G3), was back in action in Saturday’s $147,000 Withers S. (G3) at Aqueduct. It didn’t take long for the Kiaran McLaughlin trainee to remind fans why he was considered a promising candidate for the spring classics with a solid effort over the Big A’s one-turn mile. Tracking in second over a rank, headstrong Supreme Summit (Cactus Ridge) through early splits of :23 and :45 4/5, Mr. Fantasy assumed control from that rival with an inside bid around the far turn, drew off in the stretch, and had plenty left to hold off a late challenge from 9-5 favorite This Ones for Phil (Untuttable) to score by 1 3/4 lengths. Under Richard Migliore, Mr. Fantasy set a six-furlong split of 1:10 and finished up the eight fast-track furlongs in 1:34 4/5. The 3-1 third choice, Mr. Fantasy returned $8.60, $4.10 and $2.50 while keying the $23.80 exacta and $68.50 trifecta (5-1-2).

This Ones for Phil, who trailed the field of five until the stretch, rallied
along the inside before moving outside to take aim on the winner. Conceding
seven pounds to all of his rivals, This Ones for Phil was a gallant second while
7 1/2 lengths clear of his nearest rival. He returned $3.30 and $2.30. Gone
Astray (Dixie Union) prevailed by a head over Just a Coincidence (Forestry) for
the show and paid $2.80. Supreme Summit, who stumbled at the start and drifted
out nine wide down the backside, gave way after his early exertions and was more
than 25 lengths adrift of Just a Coincidence at the finish. Everyday Heroes
(Awesome Again) and Seal Team (Trippi) were scratched.

“If he would act better, I’d think he’d deserve a shot at the (May 16)
Preakness (S. [G1]) — he’s that talented,” Migliore said. “Maybe in maturity,
he’ll pop out. But he’s the best horse I’ve sat on in a while.”

Mr. Fantasy, who captured his first two starts in New York-bred company by
margins of 10 1/2 lengths and 8 1/2 lengths, was so highly rated heading into
the Gotham that he was made the 2-1 favorite. Fans best remember that race that
as the breakout performance for I Want Revenge (Stephen Got Even), who romped by
more than eight lengths in his dirt debut while Mr. Fantasy struggled home
third. While that rival later stamped himself as the potential Kentucky Derby
favorite overcoming worlds of trouble in the Wood Memorial S. (G1), Mr. Fantasy
regrouped and returned to a familiar spot, the Aqueduct’s winner’s circle, on
Saturday. His record now stands at 4-3-0-1, $166,000.

Bred by Corra Cavalo Thoroughbreds in the Empire State, Mr. Fantasy was
produced from the winning Twice Forbidden (Spectacular Bid) and is a
half-brother to the stakes-winning Don Corleone (Incurable Optimist) and the
late Indiana Derby (G2) winner Tin Cup Chalice (Crusader Sword). This female
family produced the 1958 Santa Anita Derby winner Silky Sullivan (*Sullivan),
who achieved legendary status for his famous one-run finishes, most notably
making up a deficit of 40 lengths in a race at Santa Anita.

Mr. Fantasy was a $230,000 juvenile-in-training purchase at the 2008
Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May sale.