Classic contender ready

Artstanding's calm disposition was what made him stand out to trainer Tom Fanning at the yearling sales, but the 3-year-old pacing colt's self-assuredness is what has turned him into a stakes contender. He is one of seven horses who will bid for the winner's share of the $500,000 Anthony Abbatiello New Jersey Classic, the sixth race on Saturday night at the Meadowlands.

Artstanding is owned by New Jersey residents Jim Switlyk of Berkeley Heights and Bob Gorney of Jackson.

"We got him for $35,000 at Harrisburg [Standardbred Horse Sale]," Fanning noted. "The owners, Jim Switlyk and Bob Gorney, picked out about 15 colts to look at, and he was one of them. They liked his pedigree. He stood nice and had a good attitude. I looked at him three times and each time I went to look at them, he was lying down and he was in a busy spot. I like that because nothing seemed to bother him. I felt bad because each time I had to have him stand up."

Fanning was conservative in training him down as a baby. "I didn't train to go that much that early," he said. "Even when we raced in baby races I didn't care if he won, just that he raced strong and did everything right. Baby races are like pre-season games. It doesn't count for anything. We just want him to finish strong and have some left in the tank."

Artstanding earned $383,967 as a freshman, making him the fourth richest two-year-old pacer of 2005 behind Jereme's Jet, Western Ace and Palone Ranger. In his second lifetime start, he flew home to nose out Western Ace in the $175,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes Championship in 1:52.2.

He moved on to runner-up finishes in the $67,450 Niatross at the Meadowlands, $160,000 Lou Babic at Freehold and $593,032 Governor's Cup at Woodbine. Artstanding never missed a check, rounding out his season with a fourth in the $240,675 Matron at Dover and a fifth in the $575,400 Breeders Crown at the Meadowlands.

The colt, however, has a Jekyll and Hyde routine from barn to racetrack. "He is still laid back in training, but this year in the paddock, he is much more aggressive," Fanning said. "He is screaming and kicking at the other horses. He's aware of himself. He's a big, strong horse and he knows it now. But back at the barn, he has this mellow disposition."

In the $25,000 New Jersey Classic Prep race last week, Artstanding never had a chance to move into contention as he faced interference at the half and slow fractions. He drew the rail in the final and is rated 6-1 in the morning line.

"He seemed to come out of the race good," Fanning said of the race. "Obviously, all the fractions were against him, but [driver] Mike Lachance said he was good. Next week, we'll be more aggressive. I think Lachance has been protecting him, but next week I expect him to be more competitive. He has very good tactical speed. He likes to be involved in the race early a little bit, but I'll leave it in Lachance's hands, whatever he feels is best."

Fanning made a change on the colt before the prep, switching from an open bridle to a sliding blind.

"Most young horses don't race well with an open bridle, but he seems to like it," he explained. "Our compromise was to put the sliding blinds on. The blind stays down until the three-quarter pole and then opens. It keeps him more interested in the race."

Fanning, 47, had a career season in 2005 with 34 winners and a stable that grossed $730,283, more than double his previous best seasonal bankroll. Fanning resides in Jackson, New Jersey, with his wife, Moira, and daughters Veronica and Caroline. Moira Fanning is Director of Publicity and Event Operations for the Hambletonian Society/Breeders Crown. (Meadowlands press release)

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