D'Funnybone Headlines Swale

Paul Pompa, Jr.’s D’Funnybone won the Hutcheson Stakes (G2) on Feb. 20 as the favorite in his 3-year-old debut and will be the horse to beat in the Swale Stakes (G2) Saturday over the same seven-furlong track and distance with regular rider Edgar Prado in the saddle for trainer Rick Dutrow.

D’Funnybone was brilliant last summer in New York winning the Saratoga Special (G2) by 10 ½ lengths in August and The Futurity (G2) at Belmont Park in September by 4 ¾ lengths after being purchased privately following a win and a second to begin his career at Calder.

The only blemish on D’Funnybone’s resume came when he trailed in last of 13 after prompting the pace to the far turn in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita on Nov. 7. Dutrow has suggested several times since then that the colt did not care for the synthetic surface more so than the distance of the race.

Making his 3-year-old debut in the field of nine 3-year-olds is Evelyn and Darrell Yates’ Dixie Band for trainer Wayne Catalano with jockey Julien Leparoux to ride. The Dixie Union gelding won his first three starts last year at Arlington Park, including the Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3), but retired to 10th of 14 trying two turns in the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland last out on Oct. 10.

Completing the field for the Swale are Susan and Jim Hill’s City Trooper, Javier Castellano; Jeff Singer and David Lanzman’s Fearless Cowboy, Alan Garcia; Donald Ming’s Gary D, Elvis Trujillo; Jacks or Better Farm’s Hear Ye Hear Ye, Jeffrey Sanchez; Anstu Stable’s Ibboyee, John Velazquez; C.R.K. Stable’s Privilaged, Tyler Baze; and Charles Galli’s Silver Craft, Jesus Castanon.