The NY Breeders Futurity returns to Finger Lakes on Monday, October 12, 2026, with eight New York-bred two-year-olds competing over six furlongs on dirt for a purse of $175.000. The race has a long history of producing promising young runners, including Haggis Smoothie for The Sidley Stud in 2025, Knowledge Is Good for Martyparty in 2024 and Valance for D J C Racing Stables in 2023. D J C Racing Stables returns with Golden Boy, seeking another victory in the event, while La Canada Racehorses, winner in 2013 and 2021, sends Decimas Pride. Nakamura Stables, successful with Informed Minister in 2022, is represented by Waypoint. This year’s contest features an intriguing matchup between Moon Landing Denier, an improving front-runner with a strong record, Italian Fireball, a proven Finger Lakes winner, and several lightly raced prospects attempting to establish themselves in stakes company.

The Field

1. Italian Fireball — Aer Stables — Gutierrez R

Projected Odds: 7-2

Italian Fireball enters with two victories and a second from three lifetime starts, having earned $28.410. His record is particularly relevant because both victories came at Finger Lakes, including a six-furlong allowance over the same track and distance as the NY Breeders Futurity.

His most recent appearance came on August 25 in a six-furlong allowance contested over a sloppy surface. He settled fourth through the opening two calls, advanced to second at the third and finished strongly to win by one length. That performance demonstrated an ability to improve from behind the early leaders rather than relying entirely on early speed.

Before that, he captured a 5 1/2-furlong state-bred maiden at Finger Lakes on June 16. In that race, he raced second through the opening calls, took command at the third and held on for a neck victory.

His debut at Lone Star Park was also encouraging. He led through the opening calls of a five-furlong maiden before finishing second.

Italian Fireball has demonstrated both tactical speed and the ability to finish effectively, and his familiarity with Finger Lakes is an important advantage.

He has a strong winning chance, particularly if the early leaders contest the pace and allow him to settle behind them before advancing. His victory at today’s exact distance and track makes him one of the most dependable contenders.

2. A Little Bit Blazing — Maxmillion Farm — Flores Jer

Projected Odds: 6-1

A Little Bit Blazing enters with one victory and one second from five lifetime starts, having accumulated earnings of $72.800. His record includes several competitive performances against New York-bred maiden opposition, culminating in a breakthrough victory at Saratoga on August 28.

That latest performance was particularly encouraging. Racing seventh through the opening two calls of a 5 1/2-furlong state-bred maiden, he advanced sharply to take command at the third call and completed the race with a one-length victory.

The improvement was notable because he had previously finished fifth in a six-furlong state-bred maiden at Saratoga on July 24 and second in another 5 1/2-furlong maiden on July 4.

His most recent victory followed his gelding on July 24, although the available performances do not establish whether that change contributed to his improvement.

The main question concerns class. A Little Bit Blazing has yet to defeat winners, and this race represents a substantial increase in competition. However, his recent Saratoga victory demonstrated an effective finishing move that could prove valuable if the early pace becomes demanding.

He has a credible winning chance, especially if he continues progressing from his latest performance. His ability to rally from seventh to first makes him an interesting alternative to the more established contenders.

3. Data Center — Pan Farms — Perez L E

Projected Odds: 15-1

Data Center remains a maiden after four lifetime starts, although he has finished second twice and earned $32.000. His earlier performances suggested some ability, but his two most recent races raise questions about his readiness for this level.

His latest appearance came in the $200.000 Funny Cide at Saratoga on September 7, where he raced fourth through the opening two calls before dropping to sixth and finishing sixth.

Before that, he finished sixth in a six-furlong state-bred maiden at Saratoga on July 24 after racing third early. Those performances followed consecutive runner-up finishes at Aqueduct over shorter distances.

His best results came in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden on April 9, when he advanced from ninth to second, and a 5 1/2-furlong maiden on June 18, when he finished second after racing fourth early.

The concern is that his results have deteriorated as the distances and competition have increased. He has now attempted six furlongs twice without finishing better than sixth.

Data Center has a limited winning chance based on his recent performances. He would need a substantial improvement to defeat several runners with proven winning form at today’s distance.

4. Waypoint — Nakamura Stables — Coa K J

Projected Odds: 12-1

Waypoint is a lightly raced colt with one victory from two lifetime starts and earnings of $8.150. His limited experience makes him difficult to assess, particularly because his two performances produced sharply different results.

He made a successful debut at Turf Paradise on April 29, capturing a 4 1/2-furlong maiden after leading throughout. He established the lead at the opening call, increased his advantage at the second and completed the race with a three-length victory.

That performance demonstrated early speed and the ability to maintain a clear advantage against maiden opposition.

However, his subsequent appearance in the $250.000 ELP Juvenile at Ellis Park on August 9 was considerably less successful. Racing over seven furlongs, he began second, slipped to third, dropped to fifth and ultimately finished ninth in a field of 12.

The reduction from seven furlongs to six may be beneficial, but he has not raced since August 9 and has yet to demonstrate that he can compete effectively against winners at this level.

Nakamura Stables won the NY Breeders Futurity in 2022 with Informed Minister, providing a historical connection to the event.

Waypoint has an outside winning chance if he reproduces his debut speed and handles the six-furlong distance more effectively than his previous seven-furlong assignment.

5. Decimas Pride — La Canada Racehorses — Rohena J M

Projected Odds: 15-1

Decimas Pride has one victory from four lifetime starts and earnings of $48.000. His strongest performance came in a 5 1/2-furlong state-bred maiden at Aqueduct on June 18, where he advanced from third to take command at the second call and maintained his advantage through the finish.

That victory suggested he possessed useful early speed, but his subsequent stakes appearance was disappointing.

On July 12, he contested the $125.000 Victoria at Woodbine over 5 1/2 furlongs. After beginning third, he dropped to fourth, then sixth, before finishing eleventh in a field of 12.

He has not raced since that appearance and was gelded on September 24. His recent workouts include six-furlong efforts at Santa Anita on September 24 and October 2.

The available evidence indicates that Decimas Pride can compete successfully against maiden opposition, but his only previous stakes appearance produced a substantial defeat.

La Canada Racehorses has previously won this race twice, with Golden Pop in 2013 and Perfect Secrets in 2021.

Decimas Pride has a limited winning chance unless he produces a significant improvement from his most recent performance. His earlier maiden victory offers some encouragement, but the class increase remains a major obstacle.

6. Moon Landing Denier — Greyhound — Bridgmohan S X

Projected Odds: 5-2

Moon Landing Denier enters the NY Breeders Futurity with one of the strongest records in the field, having won two of four lifetime starts while finishing second once and third once. He has accumulated earnings of $89.500 and has never finished worse than third.

His most recent performance was particularly impressive. On September 6, he captured a 6 1/2-furlong allowance at Saratoga after leading through every call and holding on to win by a head.

That victory followed a narrow second-place finish in a six-furlong claiming race at Saratoga on July 25. He led through the opening three calls before being caught at the finish, losing by a nose.

Earlier in the season, he captured a 4 1/2-furlong state-bred maiden at Aqueduct on May 23, again racing on the lead throughout.

Those performances establish a clear running pattern. Moon Landing Denier possesses considerable early speed and has demonstrated the ability to sustain it through distances of six and 6 1/2 furlongs.

His consistency is another important advantage. Unlike several opponents who have produced mixed results, he has remained competitive in every appearance.

The principal concern is whether he can maintain his advantage if challenged by another early-speed runner. His recent victories and narrow defeats suggest that he is capable of handling competitive situations, but a demanding pace could create an opportunity for runners positioned behind him.

Moon Landing Denier has the strongest winning chance. His combination of early speed, recent allowance success and consistent record makes him the projected favorite.

7. Golden Boy — D J C Racing Stables — De Diego E

Projected Odds: 5-1

Golden Boy has won two of four lifetime starts and finished second once, accumulating earnings of $20.270. His recent performances suggest that he may be developing into a competitive runner at longer sprint distances.

His latest appearance came in a seven-furlong optional claimer at Parx on September 7. He settled fifth through the opening two calls, advanced to third and finished second, beaten one-half length.

That performance was a substantial improvement over his previous seventh-place finish in the Hoover at Belterra Park on July 17, when he dropped from eighth to eleventh before recovering to finish seventh.

Earlier in the season, he won a five-furlong optional claimer at Fort Erie on a muddy surface after advancing from fifth to fourth before taking command. He also captured his debut at Mountaineer over 4 1/2 furlongs after moving from fourth to the lead.

Golden Boy has demonstrated an ability to win without controlling the early pace, which could prove useful against Moon Landing Denier and other forward-running opponents.

His latest second-place finish at seven furlongs also provides evidence that six furlongs should be within his capabilities.

D J C Racing Stables previously won the NY Breeders Futurity with Tourist in 2017 and Valance in 2023.

Golden Boy has a solid winning chance, particularly if he reproduces his latest Parx performance. His tactical flexibility makes him a legitimate contender for a prominent finish.

8. Wildwood Park — Oneonta Racing — Worrie A S

Projected Odds: 9-2

Wildwood Park is another lightly raced contender with considerable potential. The two-year-old has made only two lifetime starts, winning once and finishing second once, with earnings of $33.200.

Both appearances came at Finger Lakes on off tracks, making him particularly interesting because he has already demonstrated competitive ability over the local surface.

His debut came in a 5 1/2-furlong state-bred maiden on August 25. Racing ninth early, he advanced to eighth, then fourth, before producing a strong finish to win by three-quarters of a length.

He returned on September 21 in the $100.000 Aspirant at Finger Lakes, again over 5 1/2 furlongs. He settled fifth through the opening two calls, advanced to second and finished second, beaten a neck.

That stakes performance was especially encouraging because it demonstrated that his debut victory was not simply a result of facing maiden opposition.

Wildwood Park has consistently shown a preference for settling behind the early leaders before advancing during the later stages. That running style could be particularly effective if Moon Landing Denier faces pressure near the front.

The primary uncertainty is the additional half-furlong. Both of his starts have come at 5 1/2 furlongs, and he has yet to race over a fast track.

Wildwood Park has a strong winning chance. His recent stakes performance at Finger Lakes, combined with his late-running ability, makes him one of the most dangerous challengers to the projected favorite.

Pace Structure & Race Outlook

The NY Breeders Futurity appears likely to feature an interesting contrast between several runners with established early speed and others who have demonstrated effective late-running ability.

Moon Landing Denier is the most obvious candidate to establish the early lead. He has led through the opening calls in each of his last three starts, including his latest allowance victory at Saratoga.

Waypoint also possesses early speed, having led throughout his successful debut. However, his subsequent seven-furlong stakes appearance showed that he can lose position when facing stronger competition.

Decimas Pride demonstrated early speed in his Aqueduct maiden victory, taking command at the second call before winning. Whether he can reproduce that performance against stakes opposition remains uncertain.

Italian Fireball has shown tactical flexibility. He raced prominently in his maiden victory but settled fourth through the opening stages of his latest Finger Lakes allowance before advancing to win.

Golden Boy appears comfortable racing behind the early leaders, as demonstrated by his recent second-place finish at Parx.

A Little Bit Blazing produced a particularly strong late advance in his latest Saratoga maiden victory, moving from seventh to first.

Wildwood Park has also demonstrated a preference for settling behind the early pace before improving. His two Finger Lakes performances suggest that he could be particularly dangerous if the leaders begin to tire.

Data Center has generally raced in the middle portion of the field, although his recent results have not demonstrated a sufficiently strong finish.

The projected pace scenario places Moon Landing Denier near or on the early lead, with Waypoint and Decimas Pride among the possible challengers. Italian Fireball may settle just behind that group, while Golden Boy, Wildwood Park and A Little Bit Blazing could be positioned to advance later.

The key question is whether Moon Landing Denier can establish a manageable pace. If he does, his recent Saratoga allowance victory suggests that he will be difficult to catch.

If the early pace becomes demanding, Wildwood Park and Italian Fireball appear particularly well suited to take advantage.

Moon Landing Denier receives the selection because he combines the strongest overall consistency with proven effectiveness at six furlongs and beyond. His recent allowance victory at Saratoga and narrow runner-up finish at six furlongs provide compelling evidence that he is ready for this assignment.

Wildwood Park represents the principal danger because of his recent stakes performance at Finger Lakes and demonstrated ability to finish strongly. Italian Fireball is another serious contender, particularly given his victory over the exact track and distance.

Golden Boy offers an interesting alternative at a higher projected price, while A Little Bit Blazing could become a factor if he continues improving from his latest Saratoga victory.

Projected Order

1. Moon Landing Denier — 5-2
2. Wildwood Park — 9-2
3. Italian Fireball — 7-2
4. Golden Boy — 5-1

Projected Winner: Moon Landing Denier — 5-2

Main Danger: Wildwood Park — 9-2

Best Value: Golden Boy — 5-1

Live Longshot: A Little Bit Blazing — 6-1

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES, Ungraded