Funtastic proved he belongs among the turf elites with a brilliant win in the $300,000 United Nations S. (G1) over the Monmouth Park turf course.
Leading all the way in the 1 3/8-mile event, the 4-year-old son of More Than Ready is the 26th lifetime Grade 1 winner for his sire, who also was represented on Saturday by Bashford Manor S. (G3) winner Sir Truebadour.
Funtastic, who had never run in a graded stakes prior to Saturday, was entered by his trainer Chad Brown after urging from the colt’s owner Goncalo Torrealba, chairman of Three Chimneys Farm.
“I knew it was a tough race,” said Brown. “The owner really deserves most of the credit here. He was sure this horse could stay a distance of ground in the mile and an eighth, mile and a half races, in the Grade 1 class.”
Funtastic rewarded Torrealba’s confidence with a superb effort. Hustled from the gate by his jockey Antonio Gallardo, Funtastic carved out sensible fractions, getting the first six furlongs in 1:13.52. Asked for his run with about three furlongs to go, Funtastic responded well, showing plenty of heart in the final furlong to best Money Multiplier by a half-length in 2:12.36 on the firm turf.
“He was doing well and it worked out,” Brown said of the winner. “Just teamwork and my staff did a fabulous job and Antonio rode a wonderful race to take the initiative out of the gate. He used his horse a little bit early to get that position and then he backed it down just enough to carry him all of the way. I thought it was a really superb ride.”
Funtastic is now 4-2-1 in nine starts and has earned $384,943. Bred in Kentucky by Besilu Stable, Funtastic is the latest foal out of the superb mare Quiet Dance, also the dam of Horse of the Year Saint Liam, Grade 2 winner Quiet Giant and Grade 3 winner Congressionalhonor.
