Funtastic takes them all the way to win United Nations Stakes

Funtastic, one of four Chad Brown trainees entered in Saturday's Grade 1, $300,000 United Nations Stakes, parlayed his front-running style into a half-length win at the highest level.

Under jockey Antonio Gallardo, the 4-year-old took eight rivals all the way going 1 3/8 miles at Monmouth Park in his first graded stakes start.

But it took some convincing to get him in the field.

"He's been an improving horse," Brown said, "and I have to give most of the credit to the owner, Goncalo Torrealba," the Three Chimneys Farm chairman. "He really wanted to try this horse in a Grade 1."

The Manhattan on Belmont Stakes day was considered. Instead, Brown put the colt through one last test, an allowance optional claimer on May 26. If he performed well, the United Nations would be their spot.

"As the race approached, I looked at it and said, 'This is going to be a pretty tough race,'" Brown told Torrealba. "He said, "No, I want to run in there. I believe in the horse.' Most of the credit goes to him and my staff who did a wonderful job preparing this horse."

Last year's United Nations winner, Bigger Picture, got up for third in a photo.

"I got a really good trip," Gallardo said. "...I tried to go to the lead. He was feeling really good."

A son of More Than Ready, Funtastic has now won four of nine career starts. His final time on the Monmouth Park turf was 2:12.36.