Upstart Breezes for Fountain

Impressive GII Lambholm South Holy Bull S. winner Upstart (Flatter) tuned up for Saturday’s GII Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth S. with a five-furlong breeze in 1:00 3/5 (9/29) at Palm Meadows yesterday. 

“If all systems are as good as they are, we’ll be entering in the Fountain of Youth,” trainer Rick Violette commented. 

Owned by Ralph Evans, the New York-bred followed a runner-up effort in the GI Champagne S. Oct. 4 with a troubled third in the GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita Nov. 1. He earned a division-leading 106 Beyer Speed Figure in his 5 1/2-length score in the Holy Bull. 

“There’s always a concern about that,” Violette said of the possibility of Upstart bouncing off his impressive sophomore debut. “We take all that into account in our preparation during the four weeks. We’ll see what happens, but it’s always a concern.” 

Violette concluded, “He had that start four weeks ago and he has a good foundation. If he regresses, we hope he can still win. He’s a good horse and he’s doing terrific.”