LA Futurity – Grade I [KYD]
LA Race #3 1 1/16m Dirt Graded Stake
Purse $300.000 For Two Year Olds.
1 Badge, trained by D J C Racing Stables
A son of Niagra he has yet to really set the world on fire with his six efforts so far. A couple of decent seconds in ungraded company saw him attempt the step up in the Breeders Futurity but he was a real no show there ending up last. This race may be a step too far again but he does have some ability and an inside draw will help his chances.
2 Centerpiece, trained by Mb Stables
The first of the stable runners he won both the grade one Hopeful and the grade one Champagne before running a cracker in the BC Juvenile from a difficult draw. His form looks very good here and we could be seeing yet another Mb Stables dominated race.
3 Tyreese, trained by Threshold
Has run two credible races in black type races but has yet to get int the frame at this level. I like the way he stayed on strongly in the DED Jackpot when a closing fifth from a difficult draw and whilst he doesnt look the number one choice i am sure he will be running on late and make some show at the end.
4 Xmas Moon, trained by Allinthegate
Thrown in the deep end after a 1.37 dirt work he certainly has the work times to be a contender but has yet to prove himself on the track. Having said that his last two starts have been on the turf and over five furlongs so if you look at that work i would expect a much improved effort over this trip on the dirt.
5 Mistress Seeker, trained by Aer Stables
Was a smooth winner of the Grey Stakes before taking on the BC Juvenile where he ended up a close fifth. He was only a half length behind Centrepiece that day but had a good draw so i dont see him turning that around today. A cert for the top three and with a bit of luck could trouble the judge.
6 Grey Dali, trained by Williams9
Well behind Centrepiece in The Hopeful there is nothing that makes me think he can turn that around today. He is a stable star however and if the rain comes he could make his presence felt.
7 Wicked Orange, trained by Allinthegate
Two lengths behind Centerpiece in The Champagne he was further behind in the BC Juvenile when 13th and on those runs will struggle to get into the top three. He has recently been gelded however and i have seen that operation completely turn round a horses form so he is worth watching for now.
8 Edge Of Chai, trained by Mb Stables
Just a head behind centrepiece in the Hopeful he then stormed home for second in the Breeders Futurity before a tilt at the BC Juvenile saw him finish fifth. Running from the one gate in the BC he ran well without really threatening and whilst he is clearly a very good horse i can see him beating his stable companion today.
10 Liverpool Rocket, trained by Estero Farms
This poor horse has been plagued by wide draws since being bought from Golden Stables but has run well enough to show that given some luck he could be a real contender at this level. Drawn 14 in the BC Juvenile he led them for a long way before weakening into eleventh and the same happened before that when 4th in the Grey Stakes. If the race engine gives him a chance today he could be the dark horse.
SUMMARY
As usual this race looks about which Mb Stables horse will win. Centrepiece looks the obvious choice but this is a funny time of year and form gets turned over pretty easily so i am by no means confident. A case can be made for most of the other runners so beyond Centerpiece a pin may be the most useful form guide.
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
