Startup Nation goes last-to-first in With Anticipation

Klaravich Stables Inc. and William Lawrence's Startup Nation trailed in last

during Thursday's Grade 2, $200,000

With Anticipation at

Saratoga before coming

widest of all around the turn and rallying for a 4 1/2-length victory under

jockey Joel Rosario. The duo were sent off the 2-1 second choice in the

eight-strong field and paid $6.50 for the easy win.

Startup Nation is now two-for-two after taking his maiden debut by two

lengths just three weeks ago on August 7 at the Spa. The Chad Brown trainee came from more than 10 lengths back

on that occasion while going 1 1/16 miles and has thus far accumulated $163,800

in earnings.

"I'm

very impressed," Brown admitted. "The horse had run similarly in his debut, very impressive, with

a big, wide move running away. But running back in just three weeks and now

against open company, nevertheless a stakes race, you need to move forward.

"For

this horse to run back in three weeks and run the way he did, in 1:41 and

change, he's a real runner."

"I'd say. I haven't been following the entire country to see what's out there

for juveniles on the turf; I'm sure some haven't even run yet. But from what's

run already, I'd say these two horses that ran the last two days here are as

good as I've seen out there. Time will tell, but I wouldn't trade with anybody,"

he remarked.

The win was Brown's third of the day and moved him just one race away from

Todd Pletcher, 23-22.

"We're just going

to go race by race and put them in the right spots," he said in regards to the

trainer's race. "I thought I had good chances

today going in. All the horses are in the right spots and they're all doing

well. We have one more to go, so we'll just stick to our plan here and see what

happens."

Kutuzov and Creaky Cricket duked it out for pacesetting honors once the gate

opened on the With Anticipation, with the former taking command through the opening half-mile in :22 4/5

and :47 1/5. The rest of the field began overtaking Kutuzov in midstretch and

soon swamped the early leader.

Startup Nation was patiently biding his time in last through all this, more

than 11 lengths behind the front runner, before beginning his move entering the

turn. Circling widest of all, the dark bay was moving so fast that he startled

International Star, who had been rallying just in front to his inside.

International Star jerked away from Startup Nation and bumped into Designed for

War to his left, momentarily losing his stride.

"I thought I had a lot of horse; I ran by (International Star) and tried to give

him some room on the inside. I thought (International Star) came out a little

bit, too," Rosario explained the turn incident. "(Startup Nation) is the kind of horse, when he gets started, he keeps

on going. After I made the move, he took off and improved position from there."

International Star regained his momentum and proved best of the rest by 2 1/2

lengths over Nutty Futty. Strong Coffee, the 2-1 favorite, filled out the top

four and was followed under the wire by Designed for War, Hot Tin Roof, Creaky

Cricket and Kutuzov. Blame Jim, a main-track only entrant, was scratched.

Bred by Spendthrift Farm in New York, Startup Nation brought $95,000 as a

Fasig-Tipton Saratoga

New York-bred preferred yearling. He is the first registered stakes winner for

both his freshman sire, Temple City, and his dam, the stakes-placed Wagon Limit

mare Pennyrile.