After a less than stellar freshman campaign, Fantaddy seems to be putting his best foot forward this season
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The three-year-old son of Bettors Delight--Lifetime Member has posted a 2-1-0 record in three starts this season, including a victory in an elimination for The Diplomat Stakes, which took place this past Saturday at Woodbine Racetrack.
Last year, Fantaddy earned $10,110 from four starts, but wasn't showing his best stride.
The $72,000 yearling purchase owned by John Fielding and is now trained by Tony O'Sullivan.
"Last year Erv Miller trained him down and I heard that he was one of Erv's better colts," O'Sullivan said. "He qualified very well for him, but started to make uncharacteristic breaks and it took him time to recover. He needed time to grow up.
"I got him at the end of January and he's done everything right. I could tell he had the speed which was needed to compete at a high level."
O’Sullivan, one of the Woodbine Entertainment Group's top conditioners, has seen his pupils win 20 races at Woodbine this year. Charges from the O'Sullivan barn have banked almost $400,000 in purse earnings at the suburban Toronto oval this season.
O'Sullivan believes Fantaddy has the talent needed to race with the big boys, however, the youngster is still learning how to race.
"He's a very sound horse, but you have to be careful not to get him too geared up. He can be a high-strung horse and he's still learning how to race. Scott (driver Scott Zeron) has done a terrific job with him."
O’Sullivan recognizes that The Diplomat Stakes will test the abilities of his young student.
"I think it's a fairly wide-open race. I know we won our elimination, but I think there are three or four horses with a legitimate chance to win. He's not a standout but he isn't a long shot either, it might come down to who gets the best trip."
Fantaddy has $36,110 in career earnings with a 1:51.2 lifetime best.
He will leave from Post 3 in the $80,000 final of The Diplomat Stakes. The field appears below.
1. Grand Master
2. Eighteen
3. Fantaddy
4. Mach It Big
5. Up The Credit
6. Tribute To Gear
7. Bettors Green
8. Rockabillie
9. Big Time Rocks
10. Dapper Denzil
AE1. Doin Time Together
(WEG)