· Winner’s Circle
Scramjet Takes the Funny Cide as Rice’s Juveniles Close Out Saratoga
Two 2-year-olds, two wins on closing day: Scramjet in the $200,000 Funny Cide and first-time starter Dargham in a maiden special weight.
Saratoga’s closing day belonged to the barn’s young horses. In the $200,000 Funny Cide for New York-bred 2-year-olds, Scramjet stalked a loose leader, took over and won by two lengths in 1:10.15 for six furlongs under Ricardo Santana Jr.
It was the second win in as many starts for the Uncle Mo colt, who broke his maiden on the barn’s five-win card on August 15. He races for SJB Stable and was bred by the Stephen Barberino, Jr. Accumulation Trust. Steve Barberino became a client this year and sent the stable six 2-year-olds.
“I think this horse will probably be better going further, where he doesn’t have to be rushed.”
Linda Rice
Earlier on the card, Dargham won his debut in a $115,000 maiden special weight. The Army Mule colt went gate to wire as the 5-2 favorite and won by 2¼ lengths, running six furlongs in 1:10.21. Santana had been working both colts in the mornings, so he knew them going in. Dargham races for IEE Racing, Winning Move Stable, Poe Racing Stable, Silverwood Stables and Sanford H. Robbins LLC.
Three days earlier the stable had won the Seeking the Ante with Velora, so two of the meet’s New York-bred juvenile stakes went to Rice. Rebuilding the 2-year-old program has been a priority for her this year.
