Klaravich Stables Inc. and William Lawrence’s Startup Nation trailed in last
during Thursday’s Grade 2, $200,000
With Anticipation at Saratoga before coming
widest of all around the turn and rallying for a 4 1/2-length victory under
jockey Joel Rosario. The duo were sent off the 2-1 second choice in the
eight-strong field and paid $6.50 for the easy win.
Startup Nation is now two-for-two after taking his maiden debut by two
lengths just three weeks ago on August 7 at the Spa. The Chad Brown trainee came from more than 10 lengths back
on that occasion while going 1 1/16 miles and has thus far accumulated $163,800
in earnings.
“I’m
very impressed,” Brown admitted. “The horse had run similarly in his debut, very impressive, with
a big, wide move running away. But running back in just three weeks and now
against open company, nevertheless a stakes race, you need to move forward.
“For
this horse to run back in three weeks and run the way he did, in 1:41 and
change, he’s a real runner.”
Brown mentioned the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita could be in
Startup Nation’s future.
“I’d say. I haven’t been following the entire country to see what’s out there
for juveniles on the turf; I’m sure some haven’t even run yet. But from what’s
run already, I’d say these two horses that ran the last two days here are as
good as I’ve seen out there. Time will tell, but I wouldn’t trade with anybody,”
he remarked.
The win was Brown’s third of the day and moved him just one race away from
Todd Pletcher, 23-22.
“We’re just going
to go race by race and put them in the right spots,” he said in regards to the
trainer’s race. “I thought I had good chances
today going in. All the horses are in the right spots and they’re all doing
well. We have one more to go, so we’ll just stick to our plan here and see what
happens.”
Kutuzov and Creaky Cricket duked it out for pacesetting honors once the gate
opened on the With Anticipation, with the former taking command through the opening half-mile in :22 4/5
and :47 1/5. The rest of the field began overtaking Kutuzov in midstretch and
soon swamped the early leader.
Startup Nation was patiently biding his time in last through all this, more
than 11 lengths behind the front runner, before beginning his move entering the
turn. Circling widest of all, the dark bay was moving so fast that he startled
International Star, who had been rallying just in front to his inside.
International Star jerked away from Startup Nation and bumped into Designed for
War to his left, momentarily losing his stride.
Startup Nation continued motoring and easily cleared the rest of the field,
pulling away in the lane to finish 1 1/16 miles on the firm turf in 1:41 3/5.
Following a claim of foul by International Star’s jockey, Rosie Napravnik, and a
stewards’ inquiry, the result was allowed to stand.
“I thought I had a lot of horse; I ran by (International Star) and tried to give
him some room on the inside. I thought (International Star) came out a little
bit, too,” Rosario explained the turn incident. “(Startup Nation) is the kind of horse, when he gets started, he keeps
on going. After I made the move, he took off and improved position from there.”
International Star regained his momentum and proved best of the rest by 2 1/2
lengths over Nutty Futty. Strong Coffee, the 2-1 favorite, filled out the top
four and was followed under the wire by Designed for War, Hot Tin Roof, Creaky
Cricket and Kutuzov. Blame Jim, a main-track only entrant, was scratched.
Bred by Spendthrift Farm in New York, Startup Nation brought $95,000 as a
Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred preferred yearling. He is the first
registered stakes winner for both his freshman sire, Temple City, and his dam,
the stakes-placed Wagon Limit mare Pennyrile.
Startup Nation’s third dam is Grade/Group 1 heroine Infinidad, who is a full
sister to Group 1 victor Infanzon and a half-sister to dual Group 2 diva *Ganancia.
That mare would go on to produce Grade 2 scorer First Norman.
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