First-time starter Founder gave his connections a thrill with his gallant victory in a six-furlong maiden special weight for 2-year-olds Saturday at Saratoga, coming from last to best Highly Motivated by a neck.
The bay colt is Upstart’s fourth winner, and along with his two-time stakes-placed Uptown to his credit, the Airdrie stallion ranks in the top 10 in several categories on the First-Crop sire list.
Founder dropped to the back of the pack as the field made it’s way up the backstretch. Tucked along the rail on the turn, he began to make up ground. Jockey Jose Ortiz moved the colt off the rail in upper stretch. Despite veering out substantially in mid-stretch, Founder gathered himself and surged to the front in the final strides.
Founder sold to Jeff Drown and Don Rachel for $600,000 at the OBS March 2-year-old sale after working a quarter-mile in :21 seconds flat, making him the most expensive juvenile this year by his sire.
Founder is the second foal out of Blue Beryl, a sister to stakes winners Brigand and Sky Music.
