Whatchatalkinabout and Joel Rosario roll to victory in Monday’s New York Breeders’ Futurity at Finger Lakes. SV Photography.
Ice Wine Stable’s Whatchatalkinabout put his name in the mix among the leading New York-bred 2-year-olds with a come-from-behind victory in Monday’s $167,547 New York Breeders’ Futurity at Finger Lakes.
An $82,000 purchase by trainer Wesley Ward at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale, Whatchatalkinabout overtook leaders Trust Fund and Tall Paul in the stretch to improve to 2-for-3 in his first stakes victory. The 2-year-old Dialed In gelding improved off a third in the Funny Cide Stakes in late August on Saratoga Race Course’s New York Showcase Day card.
Joel Rosario, riding for the first time at Finger Lakes, guided 8-5 favorite Whatchatalkinabout to a 3 3/4-length victory in 1:11.92 for the 6 furlongs over the sloppy and sealed surface.
The maiden Hal Away came away fast from the gate before Saratoga maiden winner, Aspirant third-place finisher and 5-2 second choice Tall Paul took over under Irad Ortiz Jr. Tall Paul led Trust Fund and Jose Ortiz by 1 1/2 lengths through the opening quarter-mile in :22.52, with Whatchatalkinabout third while three wide and Mischief Joke just behind in fourth.
Trust Fund, runner-up in the Aspirant and the 4-1 fourth choice, put pressure on Tall Paul to the outside around the far turn and to the half in :46.30. Whatchatalkinabout and Rosario made steady progress from there and into the lane, inching up toward the leading Trust Fund approaching the eighth pole before rolling past three or four paths off the fence.
Whatchatalkinabout drew off in deep stretch to finish well clear, picking up $96,928 to boost his bankroll to $162,178. Trust Fund held second, 2 1/4 lengths clear of Mischief Joke with Tall Paul, the filly Unicorn Cake, 7-2 third choice Yo Banana Boy, and Hal Away completing the field.
Bred by Newtown Anner Stud, Whatchatalkinabout is the sixth foal out of the unraced Super Saver mare Super Savvy. A half-sister to Grade 3 winner and Grade 1-placed Don’t Forget Gil, Super Savvy is the dam of five-time winner and $273,350-earner Prince James and winner Stopdropandroll.
Super Savvy is also the dam of a yearling New York-bred colt by McKinzie and a New York-bred weanling colt by Sharp Azteca born May 7. Newtown Anner Stud bred both colts.
Whatchatalkinabout was consigned at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October sale by Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services. He had been consigned by the same operation when he RNA’d for $38,000 earlier in the year at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky winter mixed sale.
Whatchatalkinabout won his debut going 5 furlongs May 12 at Belmont Park for Ward. He didn’t resurface until the 6-furlong Funny Cide, where he finished 5 1/2 lengths behind The Wine Steward and El Grande O while third. Ward prepped the first-time gelding for his Finger Lakes debut from his base at Keeneland.
