The Coronation Futurity- $225.000 Purse
WO- For Two Year Olds Foaled in Canada
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
November 18, 2018

Up north this weekend, we have a very intriguing race taking place as the 11th running of The Coronation Futurity goes to post. Breeding in Canada is popular within our game, and over the course of the next season we will have many races for Canadian-breds to be excited about. But, who are the stars of tomorrow with this classification? The Coronation Futurity gives us a chance to look at them, and has seen many of its runners have success over the years. Last year, Mist Maker went on to get the win, and had a successful season this year, running second in the Queens Plate, and eventually winning the Grade 1 Sword Dancer. However, if you finish last in this race, don’t worry. The horse that was unable to beat anyone in this race last year went by the name of Early Retirement. You may have heard of him now, having won the BC Turf by four lengths two weeks ago. So, first, last, or in between, all seven of our runners are full of potential and capable of becoming much more well known next year. By the way, Mb Stables has been dominant in this race, winning it four times, all coming in the last five years. In a way, his non-winner here last year, became a big winner, too. Let’s meet the field.

#1- Figured Out (Mb Stables, ridden by Alan Garcia)- There are two in this field for Mb Stables this year, and Figured Out is the lesser accomplished one to this point. He has just three races to his credit, with just one win. That came in his last start, a ON-bred maiden at FE two months ago. That was his first time going long, so certainly that is what he has been waiting for. Recently, he has regularly been working out at PRX, and seems to be better when going a little longer. Not going to be the favorite here, but never rule out Mb’s runner that seems to be the softer of two.

#2- The System (Mo Mentum Farm, ridden by E J Wilson)- So far in his career, this gelding has shown a liking for coming from off the pace. His last race, a BEL allowance, saw him be well behind the leaders early on, but powerfully run in the stretch to come to within a length. However, he didn’t pass as many as I would have liked to have seen so without watching the race, that could be more a case of the leaders running too quickly early. It does seem like he will like the added distance here.

#3- Candlestick (Mb Stables, ridden by L Contreras)- Early in his career, he got a pair of nice wins, which include the $75.000 Hoover at BTP. The trainer has tried to advance him further off of that, and has not yet gotten the results he wants. In three starts since then at the graded level, he has run near the back in all of them. Mb Stables seems to be searching for his best fit too, switching surfaces and distances in those three starts. Needs to start fulfilling his potential, or he will be lost in the shuffle of the barn in which he resides.

#4- Chaos Itself (Gdp Inc, ridden by P Husbands)- The chaos in which this gelding has seen may be the weather, as three of his five career starts have been on off tracks, and two of them were sloppy and soft. It would be great to be able to see him on a dry track, as his maiden win, on fast ground, was impressive right here back in early September. He has since changed trainers, being acquired by Gdp Inc for $77.000 in private sales. He didn’t take well to the soft turf in his last start, and should be glad to be back on the main track here.

#5- Not A Pretty One (Estero Farms, ridden by R M Hernandez)- While his name is appropriate, he isn’t the greatest looking horse out there, they say it’s what’s inside that counts and for Not A Pretty One, that’s the same blood as Pretty Ferro when it comes to the same dam, Pretty One. However, since breaking his maiden, Not A Pretty One has struggled at the graded level. His works are actually very good, so this might be the drop down that he needs to get back in the winners circle. I believe it will lead to a better finish, but am not convinced that he is about to win.

#6- Majestical (Smokey Stover, ridden by G Boulanger)- Like what I see with this one, and let’s face it, with this name, he needs to be good. In two starts, he has one win, and handled the slop here nicely in breaking his maiden in his last start. We have yet to see him run on a dry surface, so that alone should be exciting for this Commanding colt. The weather is expected to be good here on Sunday. Smokey Stover paid a big price for him, paying Pan Farms $400.000 while he was still unraced, and looking in the long term, I think Smokey is going to win out on that investment. While I like his works, I love that he’s backing them up on the track. Here’s the one to beat.

#7- Gunpowder Choice (Night Rider Stables, ridden by J M Campbell)- This one began his career running in cheap maiden claimers, and would not be able to win any of the three. Night Rider Stables was astute to what was going on with him, and claimed him for $10.000. After a couple months with him, everything changed. Blinkers and a shadow roll were added, and he started going long. Ultimately, he would win at PRX by wiring the field. Since that was only a four horse field, this is a pretty big jump, but why not take the shot. He’s working well and might just be hitting his true form now.

Prediction: 6-3-5-2

— NS

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded