Justenuffhumor puts perfect turf record on line in Bernard
Baruch
A half-brother to champion filly Dreaming of Anna and multiple Grade 2 winner
Lewis Michael, both by Rahy, JUSTENUFFHUMOR (Distorted Humor) certainly had the
bloodlines to be a good runner. And though he did not debut until late in his
three-year-old season last fall, the Darley colorbearer has found himself on the
cusp of stardom after finding his calling on the grass. Notching his fifth win
in as many starts on the lawn in the Fourstardave H. (G2) on August 2, the
Kiaran McLaughlin trainee will likely be favored to add to that glory in
Friday’s $200,000
Bernard Baruch H. (G2) at Saratoga.
The Fourstardave was the first stakes appearance by Justenuffhumor, and the
bay passed that test with flying colors. Saving ground most of the way, the colt
split rivals in deep stretch and drew off to win by 2 1/2 lengths under Alan
Garcia, who will again pilot the four-year-old over the nine-furlong inner turf
trip on Friday. Though unraced beyond 1 1/16 miles, the extra distance doesn’t
figure to give either the connections or the colt’s backers much cause for
worry.
MAMBO MEISTER (King Cugat) and COWBOY CAL (Giant’s Causeway), second and
third, respectively, in the Fourstardave, will both seek revenge on the likely
favorite. Dismissed at 15-1 earlier this month, the former Calder mainstay Mambo
Meister outran his odds in outfinishing the multiple Grade 2 hero Cowboy Cal by
a half-length. Mambo Meister has improved considerably since moving to the turf
last November, finishing worse than second only once. The exception was a
sixth-place effort in the Fort Lauderdale S., but even then the gelding only
missed by less than a length in a blanket finish.
Cowboy Cal, a four-time graded stakes winner overall, narrowly missed in the
Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) earlier this year and unsuccessfully tried to
lead the Fourstardave field from start to finish. He again looks like the
primary speed and might fare better with ground more firm than what he
encountered last time.
SEASPEAK (Mizzen Mast), who was disqualified after interfering with Cowboy
Cal in last fall’s Bryan Station S. (G3), subsequently prevailed in the Dallas
Turf Cup (G3) and was most recently third in the Firecracker H. (G2). He is
another who might not have relished the softer conditions he encountered last
time and might improve with firmer conditions.
DEAL MAKING (Empire Maker) ran second in his seasonal debut over the Tapeta
at Presque Isle Downs July 26, but has been primarily a turf runner. Victorious
in the Stanton S. at Delaware Park last summer, he next shipped to Saratoga
where he finished a fast-closing third in the National Museum of Racing Hall of
Fame S. (G2) against fellow three-year-olds. He could improve in his second
start off the layoff.
Other potential threats are SETTE E MEZZO (Dynaformer), who recently passed
his second allowance condition over the Mellon turf course with a strong rally
from midpack which earned him a 111 BRIS Late Pace rating, and COLONY (Ire)
(Statue of Liberty), who makes his second U.S. appearance following a solid
third-place effort in the July 16 Double Feint S. at Belmont Park. The latter
will run coupled with Justenuffhumor due to common ownership.
Earlier on the program, STUD MUFFIN (Raffie’s Majesty), R CLEAR VICTORY
(Victory Gallop), DR. V’S MAGIC (Raffie’s Majesty) and FUTURE PROSPECT (Freud)
are among the seven divisional mainstays that will square off in the $78,000
Funny
Cide S. for older New York-breds at 1 1/8 miles on the main track.