Upstart Has Hopeful Evans on Derby Trail
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By Charlie McCarthy
A Thoroughbred owner for nearly 50 years, Ralph Evans has attended just one edition of the Kentucky Derby (gr. I).
"My daughter, instead of a confirmation party, wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby," Evans said, "so my daughter and I went to the Derby... in Spectacular Bid's year."
That was 1979. Thirty-six years later, Evans hopes to make a return trip to Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May thanks to his talented ridgling Upstart.
A dark bay or brown 3-year-old sired by Flatter out of the Touch Gold mare Party Silks, New York-bred Upstart won the $400,000 Lambholm South Holy Bull Stakes (gr. II) by 5 1/2 lengths at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 24.
This week, he was named the 8-5 favorite in an eight-horse field for the $400,000 Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth (gr. II) coming up at Gulfstream Feb 21. Jose Ortiz will be aboard for trainer Rick Violette, Jr.
After that, the Florida Derby (gr. I) could be a precursor to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands.
"I don't have Derby fever quite yet," Evans said last week from Greenwich, Conn. "I admit to anxiety as we get closer and closer and the water gets deeper in that, theoretically, we will be facing tougher and tougher competition and the possibility of disappointment looms somewhat larger. "
But remaining grounded and realistic comes naturally to 77-year-old Evans now. He began owning horses in the mid-1960s and has seen how fragile success in the sport can be.
"My glass is generally half empty, as opposed to half full. I fully realize the remote probability but you have to dream a little bit, I suppose," the Cleveland native said. "I'll be very, very happy just to get to Louisville.
"Just getting there would be wonderful for my family, for my friends... you name it. (But) I'm not going unless I think I have a reasonable chance, obviously. That would suit me."
Following the Holy Bull win, Evans and Violette considered both Florida and New York as a path to Kentucky for Upstart. The Gotham Stakes (gr. III) and Wood Memorial (gr. I) at Aqueduct Racetrack were among the options.
"We were considering New York if, in fact, the horse needed an extra week or two, but so far, so good," Evans said. "The training up here has been horrendous, what with the weather."
Bred by Mrs. Gerald A. Nielsen, Upstart finished second in the 2014 Champagne Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park and third in the Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park.
Until Upstart, Evans' greatest accomplishments in racing came with a runner named March Magic. The Evansville Slew filly won six of her 22 starts and earned a career total of $638,290 while trained by Violette. The wins included the 2001 Molly Pitcher Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II).
The closest Evans has come to attending a Preakness Stakes (gr. I) was courtesy of March Magic, who ran in the Black-Eyed Susan (gr. II) the day before. The owner has attended several editions of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
"We ran in the Black-Eyed Susan the day before the Preakness with March Magic many years ago and we did not stay for the Preakness," said Evans, whose filly finished second behind Jostle in the 2000 race.
As he spoke indoors on a 9-degree afternoon in Greenwich, Evans said Upstart's success has warmed the hearts of his wife, Judith, and their daughter, Lauren.
"My wife is all over me, 'Enjoy it! Enjoy it! Enjoy it!'" Evans said. "Part of me is on a high because of it, and the anxiety is under control."
Evans' son Andrew, in the oil and gas business in Calgary, has not been as avid a horse racing fan until recently—and not necessarily due to Upstart.
"Andy's getting a little more involved because the senior partner of the firm he works at is a Thoroughbred racing fan," Evans said with a chuckle. "So, in order to create some points, I guess, he chats about horse racing these days. Occasionally, he'll call and ask me a question or two."
Evans, who said he suspected some people might look to purchase a Derby-caliber horse, has received a couple of inquiries regarding Upstart's availability. One was "a very legitimate offer that I declined," he said.
Don't expect that to change. Evans, who became successful working on the floor of New York Stock Exchange, spent $130,000 for Upstart at the Fasig-Tipton New York preferred yearling sale in August 2013. He has no intention to sell.
"I'm getting up there in years, and I may never get there again," he said.
