Rio Grande Senor Futurity

$175.000 NM Bred Stake 5 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt for 2 Year Old Colts & Geldings

2016 Champ: Champsville Sweeper

A small field of five will compete for the lucrative $175.000 purse in the NM bred Rio Grande Senor Futurity. The race features a few maidens and a few that have run in the previous NM bred stake.

1- Handsome Fuego (Trained by Hawaiian Shirt Guy, Ridden by Gamez L)

Still a maiden after four career starts. Was showing great potential until last race where he ran a disappointing eighth in a maiden race at DMR at the end of July. His works have not been improving the last while like you would like to see this time of year. Can’t rule out in this field but others seem to be improving much quicker and might be leaving him behind.

2- Sweeping Italy (Trained by Drabfantasy, Ridden by Chirinos R)

Early in April Sweeping Italy took home the first NM bred stake of the year the Copper Top Futurity. He then tried turf finishing second in an ungraded stake at MTH in early August. His works are as good as any in the race and has the most stakes experience if he runs his race he should come home with the victory.

3- Mini Coup (Trained by End Run Farm, Ridden by Jaime R)

Third place in the NM bred Mountain Top Futurity last time out, he was fast closing at the end of the race so the added half furlong here should help. His works are right up there with the other top horses in the race and if Sweeping Italy falters he will very likely be the one to pick up the pieces.

4- Work Unsuited (Trained by Hawaiian Shirt Guy, Ridden by Ramirez E)

The second entry from trainer Hawaiian Shirt Guy. Has not run since the end of April in his lone career start at CD which was a ninth place finish in a maiden special weight. His works are a bit behind the top horses in the race and likely needs at least a race off the long layoff so not expecting much from this gelding.

5- Marathon Mandy (Trained by Barcelona Farms, Ridden by Fuentes M T Jr)

His works are very comparable to Sweeping Italy but it has not translated much into race action as of yet. He has not run since July where he was a solid third in a NM bred allowance race. The extra distance should help him and if he can run to the potential of his last works he should be a top contender.

My Selections: 2/3/5

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded