Eddie F’s Racing partnership joined Chowda in the winner’s circle after the Gander Stakes
Eddie Fazzone, managing partner of Eddie F’s Racing and proprietor of the popular Saratoga Springs restaurant Eddie F’s Eatery, will look to satisfy his hunger for another stakes win by sending out full-brothers Chowda and Lobsta in Sunday’s $150,000 NYSSS Thunder Rumble at the Big A.
The Gary Sciacca-trained duo, by Emcee and out of the Chief Seattle mare Salty Little Sis, were both bred in the Empire State by John Jayko’s Fedwell Farm. Last year, the now 4-year-old Chowda won the Gander at Aqueduct to provide the partnership their first stakes win. Lobsta rolled into this year’s edition of the Gander from a 5 3/4-length maiden romp but had to settle for second in a race won by Nicky the Vest.
Fazzone said the partnership, which includes Ross Lackey and Fazzone’s brother-in-law Don Wilock, have been overwhelmed by the brother’s success.
“It’s pretty amazing. When you go into this as a small group, you don’t expect to be winning stakes races,” Fazzone said. “It was a big thrill to win the Gander with Chowda and then for his brother to come back and run second in the same race the following year was big too. These two guys have been a joy for us.”
The brothers were both purchased privately from the breeder and Fazzone said Eddie F’s Racing will soon have another appetizing racing prospect from the talented family.
“We also have a half-brother named Oysta, who will be two in January,” Fazzone added. “He’s on a farm in Virginia so you’ll see him next year. He’s by Micromanage.”
Fazzone, who lamented missing out on Salty Heir, a 2-year-old full brother to Oysta also trained by Sciacca, campaigns another pair of half-siblings bred in New York by Fedwell Farm in the 3-year-old gelding Dreampoint, by Point of Entry, and 2-year-old filly Dream Central, by Central Banker, who are out of the Deputy Wild Cat mare Dreamed to Dream.
Dream Central is entered in Race 2 on Saturday at the Big A, a 1 1/16-mile maiden special weight for New York-bred fillies to be contested over the outer turf.
But while Dream Central is a 30-1 longshot in search of a first win, Chowda and Lobsta have established strong form as they prepare to square off in Sunday’s seven-furlong sprint for eligible state-sired 3-year-olds and up on Closing Day of the Big A fall meet.
Chowda has won 3-of-4 starts at Aqueduct and enters from a strong third in an open 1 1/16-mile allowance tilt on October 24 at Belmont that was won by subsequent Discovery winner Miles D for trainer Chad Brown.
Lobsta has posted six starts in his sophomore campaign for a record of 2-1-2, including a score in a one-mile state-bred optional-claimer in March at the Big A.
He enters from third-place finishes in the seven-furlong Mike Lee in May at Belmont and the 1 1/16-mile New York Derby in July at Finger Lakes, which was won by Americanrevolution who will contest Saturday’s Grade 1 Cigar Mile presented by NYRA Bets for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher.
“These two run hard every time. Lobsta ran third in the New York Derby against that monster of Todd’s that’s running tomorrow in the Cigar Mile,” Fazzone said. “He’s been off since then and is training really well. It’s his first race back and we’re hoping for the best with him.
“Chowda ran a great race in an allowance on October 24 against Chad’s horse who ran third in the Travers and came back and won a stake last week,” Fazzone continued. “Chowda is training great and we’re hoping they both run really big on Sunday.”
Both horses posted bullet half-mile works over the Belmont dirt training track in their most recent preparations with Chowda breezing in 48.70 seconds on December 1 and Lobsta working in 47 flat on November 27.
“They always train well. They just like to go. If you go back and look at all their works, they’re always right around the bullet work for the day. They’re both doing well right now,” Fazzone said.
Fazzone credits Sciacca, who recently secured his 1000th career win, with keeping both horses at the top of their game.
“He’s done a great job for me and my partnership and he’s a great horseman,” Fazzone said. “He’s really one of the last real true New York trainers around. Going back to the early 80s, there’s not many guys left that are born and bred New York guys. Gary is one of those guys and he’s been training with the best of them. He does an incredible job.”
Fazzone said that Chowda and Lobsta have generated a lot of attention for his restaurant and even piqued the interest of some of his patrons to join the ownership ranks.
“I try to keep to keep the partnerships small,” Fazzone said. “I buy a majority and then piece them off so people have an opportunity. On Chowda, it’s me, Ross and Don. With Lobsta, it’s just Ross and I alone. I have some horses that have seven partners – just customers that come to the restaurant and want to come in.”
While the restaurant will be closed on Sunday with the team already en route to the city to attend the race, Fazzone said he knows there will be a large cheering section upstate watching Chowda and Lobsta mix it up in the Thunder Rumble.
“When Saratoga starts up and people start coming to town that’s when I get really busy. We’ve got big support from the locals. They love to watch the horses and cheer them on,” Fazzone said. “It’s been a lot of fun. Hopefully, these guys run a big race for us on Sunday.”
And should Chowda or Lobsta happen to win, there’s still one week left to celebrate the experience at Eddie F’s Eatery before it closes for the season.
“Next Saturday is my last day and then we close down until February 16 when we re-open and get ready for another great season,” Fazzone said. “It’s grown every year and gotten more popular. We had a great summer and spring.”
New to the Paulick Report? Click here to sign up for our daily email newsletter to keep up on this and other stories happening in the Thoroughbred industry.
Copyright © 2021 Paulick Report.
