Front Run the Fed Goes Last to First in Better Talk Now
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Front Run the Fed takes over Bourbon War under a hand ride to win the Better Talk Now at Saratoga Race Course
Chad Brown may have another horse in his barn worth keeping an eye on.
Although it took him four starts and a birthday to put it all together, Front Run the Fed is undefeated in three starts this year after outrunning five other 3-year-olds with more stakes experience Aug. 25. With a last-to-first move, Front Run the Fed ran down classic contender Bourbon War under a hand ride to score a half-length victory in the $100,000 Better Talk Now Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.
The son of Fed Biz posted his first win April 14 in a six-furlong maiden special weight over the turf at Aqueduct Racetrack for owners Klaravich Stables. He came back a month later to romp by 13 1/4 lengths in a May 17 allowance optional claiming race going seven furlongs on the Belmont Park turf under Jose Lezcano, who also rode him in the Better Talk Now. In both of those efforts, Front Run the Fed sat just off the pace.
"He's a real afternoon horse," Brown said. "He's an average training horse in the mornings, but when he's tacked up in the afternoons, he's all business."
In Sunday's one-mile turf test, Front Run the Fed drew the rail and was taken to near the back of the field with Bourbon War when Our Braintrust came in shortly after the break, cutting him off. Bulletin, who had not raced since finishing fourth in the April 27 William Walker Stakes at Churchill Downs, clicked off fractions of :23.74 and :46.94 through a half-mile.
With Bulletin still leading at the top of the final turn, Front Run the Fed made an impressive move from last, closing on the field quickly. Coming off the turn, he matched strides with Bourbon War, who had rallied in front of him, and eventually took over to win in a final time of 1:34.29 on firm turf.
"He had a bit of an eventful trip early. He was pinched back on the first turn and was further back than I would have liked. Jose had to go to Plan B and showed good judgment letting the horse settle down first," Brown explained. "He composed himself and decided to make one run with him, and it paid off. Jose really used judgment and deserves a lot of credit."
Off as the favorite, the winner returned $4.90, $2.80, and $2.30. Bourbon War paid $3.80 and $2.80 for second, and Bulletin, who was another 2 1/4 lengths back, returned $2.70 to show.
"After (Front Run the Fed's) last win, we were pointing for the Hall of Fame (G2T), but he had some foot issues which caused us to miss that race, but he's ready now," Brown said. "The (Oct. 5) Hill Prince (G2T) makes sense, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to commit him to running a mile and an eighth yet."
Bred in Kentucky by Colts Neck Stables, Front Run the Fed is the first foal out of the Posse mare Lawless Miss. Agent Mike Ryan purchased the colt from the Hunter Valley Farm consignment to the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $300,000.