Joevia's 'running for Julian' in Oaklawn's Razorback Handicap

Each time the 4-year-old colt Joevia runs, it’s a tribute combining the names of Jeff Fazio's son (Joe) and Michael Fazio's daughter (Olivia). But in Monday’s Grade 3, $500,000 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park, the co-owners/brothers will have another child in mind.

“Joevia’s running for Julian,” Jeff Fazio said.

After a close friend, Matt Mittman, and his wife, Joy, put their 20-month-old son to bed recently, Julian Mittman didn’t wake up. His death on Jan. 28 came as a shock to the family from Newton Square, Penn.

Proceeds from Joevia’s Razorback winnings will be donated to the Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation founded by Teddy Atlas, the boxing trainer and commentator, to honor his father’s memory. Dr. Atlas often provided free medical care to those who couldn’t afford it, and the foundation “focuses particularly on the needs of children,” according to its website.

Teddy Atlas is Jeff Fazio’s father-in-law.

“It’s every parent’s worst nightmare to have your child pass,” Fazio said. “It just makes sense that this is a family foundation that we’re highly involved in to give back in memory of Julian.”

In addition to the charitable contribution, on Monday connections will wear yellow flowers — that was Julian’s favorite color — on their lapels.

“We’re really trying to lift the spirits of my friend,” Jeff Fazio said.

He and Matt Mittman attended Pennsylvania’s Bucknell University as members of the wrestling team and were in the same fraternity. Mittman hasn’t caught the racing bug the same way as his buddy, but knows well the importance of Joevia.

“Everyone knows,” Jeff Fazio said. “I have a Joevia hat, and I wear it pretty much every day I go somewhere. I love the sport and love horses. I’m just so excited to be a part of it, and obviously having a good horse makes it that much better.”

Last season, the Shanghai Bobby colt leveraged a victory in Monmouth Park’s Long Branch Stakes into a Belmont Stakes appearance. Joevia set the pace and held on for third behind Sir Winston and Tacitus.

Physical issues prevented him from racing on at age 3, so trainer Gregg Sacco ordered some downtime. On return, Joevia won a Jan. 17 allowance optional claiming race at Aqueduct going 6 1/2 furlongs.

“He raced in a sprint, and we thought he was ready but it wasn’t his race,” Jeff Fazio said. “We were so happy with how he performed. He came out of the race well and has had two great works. This looks like the perfect spot to stretch him back out, get him back to graded stakes and hopefully win.”

Oaklawn will draw for the 1 1/16-mile Razorback on Friday. The race is expected to attract, among others, Grade 1 winner Math Wizard, the promising 4-year-old Warrior’s Charge and Bravazo, a well-known older runner.

“We’re going in there confident,” Jeff Fazio said. “We know it’s a real quality field, but we feel like we’re just as good as any horse in there with some improvement, and we expect some improvement off the long layoff and that first race back.”

A strong showing in the Razorback could lead to a try at the March 28 Dubai World Cup (G1), or Joevia may become a candidate for races such as the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and Charles Town Classic (G2).

Fazio said he’s careful not to look far past Monday. “Sweet Julian,” as the parents called their child, is a reminder to enjoy the present.