WinStar buys into Upstart; Velazquez commits to Carpe Diem

WinStar Farm has acquired a minority interest in Kentucky Derby (G1)

contender Upstart (Flatter), winner of the Holy Bull S. (G2) and runner-up in

the Florida Derby (G1) and Fountain of Youth S. (G2) this winter at Gulfstream.

Upstart now becomes another arrow in WinStar's Derby quiver, after multiple

Grade 1 winner Carpe Diem (Giant's Causeway), co-owned with Stonestreet Stables.

There was also breaking news regarding Carpe Diem later Monday: trainer Todd

Pletcher told Daily Racing Form's Jay Privman that Hall of Famer John

Velazquez will stick with Carpe Diem in the Derby. Privman reported that Javier

Castellano now picks up the mount on stablemate Materiality (Afleet Alex).

Rounding out Derby jockey developments on Monday, Hall of Famer Mike Smith will

maintain his partnership with Far Right (Notional), trainer Ron Moquett tweeted.

Elliott Walden, WinStar President & CEO, commented on the farm's interest in

Upstart.

"Upstart has been on our radar since the Breeders' Cup," Walden said. "Jerry Brown of Thoro-Graph approached me because he

really believes this colt has a big future. We are honored to be partners with

such a nice man as Ralph Evans on such an exciting young horse as Upstart."

Trainer Rick Violette, Jr. will remain as the conditioner of Upstart, who

breezed a bullet half mile in :47 2/5 last Friday at Palm Meadows Training

Center in South Florida. The striking son of Flatter is slated to have one final

breeze this coming weekend at Palm Meadows before shipping to Churchill Downs

for the Kentucky Derby.

"When Elliott called, I became excited about what we could do together with

WinStar in a partnership on Upstart," said Ralph Evans, owner of Upstart. "We

look forward to sharing in Upstart's promising future."