September 23, 2016
Despite a huge increase in purse to $200.000, the NM Thoroughbred Futurity has only drawn a modest field of four for its second edition on Sunday afternoon and three geldings take on one filly, with the likely favourite coming from the outside after he scored in similar company at RUI last time out.
1-Yardstick (Two-year-old bay filly / Owner-End Run Farm)
Yardstick improved in her second start to break her maiden going five-furlongs and while that effort came with a big jump in speed ratings, she only gets one pound from the boys and will have to continue that improvement to make a dent in the winning margin.
Fair Odds-6/1
2-Fuego On Hold (Two-year-old bay gelding / Owner-Axeman)
It took five starts, changes in surface and even being gelded for Fuego On Hold to take his first career win and although he has placed in stakes company as a maiden, this is actually a decent field and he was have to prove that his maiden win was no fluke if he wants to make it to the top spot.
Fair Odds-4/1
3-Haynes Away (Two-year-old bay gelding / Owner-ollieland)
Haynes Away took on allowance company last time at GG and was not disgraced when only beaten a length into fourth but his speed rating actually decreased from his maiden win and that is never a good sign when stepping up to stakes company, even against a small field.
Fair Odds-8/1
4-Champsville Sweeper (Two-year-old black gelding / Owner-Axeman)
Two wins in state-bred stakes company and close finishes in huge important stakes events at BEL and SAR make Champsville Sweeper the odds-on choice here and with a win, could become the richest juvenile of the season with a chance to make it to SA if things work out.
Fair Odds-Even
Overall
Champsville Sweeper looks like the clear choice in the NM Thoroughbred Futurity and with the win, could move back into Graded Stakes company later in the season. Yardstick was better than others breaking her maiden and could improve while Fuego On Hold will have to prove his last effort was as good as it looked.
Prediction
Champsville Sweeper / Yardstick / Fuego On Hold
Triple T Racing 🙂
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded