Breeders Futurity (BC) (Grade 1)- $500.000 Purse
KEE- For Two Year Olds
One Mile and One Sixteenth on the Dirt
October 7, 2017
Table Stakes came into the 14th running of the Breeders Futurity as a rather unknown entity. Just two weeks ago, after all, he raced for the very first time, out at PLN. In that maiden race, he was dominant, and seemed to completely overmatch the field, winning by eight lengths. That was an impressive victory, and being placed into the Breeders Futurity surely meant that trainer Barcelona Farms knew he had something special. Even if he did, this was a tough assignment, and to do it on such short rest made it more of a challenge. But if you believe in the horse, there is no time to wait to try and get him in the BC Juvenile. Wow, Table Stakes was impressive all right. After fending off a challenge by Having A Blast early, Table Stakes not only won this race, but he made it look easy. Not quite as easy as that day at PLN, but it was another convincing win. He is unknown no longer! Congratulations to him, and to trainer Barcelona Farms, as well as to the winning jockey, D Van Dyke. The time of the win was 1:42.22, the fourth quickest in the stake’s history. Let’s take a look at it!
(1/4 Mile- :23.87)- Our eventual race winner, Table Stakes, breaks very well out of the gate for Barcelona Farms, while to his outside, Having A Blast does the same for Mb Stables. These two emerge as the quickest as the race enters the first turn. Stalking the pacesetters would Liverpool Hurricane, for Saratoga Stud. Behind him, there would be a gap of two lengths before People Doubted (Mb Stables) and Badge (D J C Racing Stables) ran side-by-side for fourth. The next two-by-two saw Subutai (EasyMoney Stables) and Its Now Or Never (D J C Racing Stables) another length back. At the back, two lengths behind that last pair, and trailing by almost seven was Edge of Chai, the heavy post-time favorite from Mb Stables. This was not his traditional style, so you wonder if the missed the break at the start.
(½ Mile- :47.71)- As the field made their way down the backstretch, there was not much movement throughout the running order. Having A Blast maintained a lead of neck over Table Stakes at a half mile, but as they reached the end of the backstretch and approached the turn, Table Stakes took control of the lead. Having A Blast still ran well in second, with Liverpool Hurricane still stalking. The gap to the rest of the pack now grew to three lengths, with People Doubted, Badge, and Its Now Or Never. Subutai was next to last, while Edge of Chai was not looking comfortable in a trailing role.
(Top Of Stretch- 1.5F To Go)- Rounding the turn, this little known gelding by Lettucerocku was getting everyone excited. He had given the slip to Having A Blast, and Liverpool Hurricane was not able to keep up with him either. At the top of the stretch, the advantage was now two lengths and seemed to be growing with every stride. A budding superstar was earning stripes in front of all of us! None of People Doubted, Badge, Subutai, or Its Now Or Never was mounting a challenge. At the back, Edge Of Chai clearly had plenty of run, and looked to capitalize on running on the rail for the stretch until he was blocked…. blocked, by his stablemate. Those who want only one stake runner per trainer never bring up this possibility, do they. But People Doubted cost Edge of Chai, and made him have to check here.
(Finish- 1:42.22)- In the stretch, it was simply a case of watching Table Stakes run. A new name for the TC chase is born. He was pulling away, and was much the best on this day. Extra kudos to Barcelona Farms here for taking the gamble with this one on short rest and seeing it pay off. Finishing second would be Edge Of Chai, who once People Doubted realized who he was blocking and moved out of his stablemate’s way, was able to run free and show his talent as well. There’s nothing wrong with Edge Of Chai, he’ll be fine. People Doubted ran well in the stretch to be third, so there is some solace in that crucial block for the trainer. Subutai began running late, maybe he’ll just want more distance too. Liverpool Hurricane, Its Now Or Never, Having A Blast, and Badge round out the running order.
About The Winner: Table Stakes, trained by Barcelona Farms, and ridden by D Van Dyke, is a two year old gelding by Lettucerocku, and out of On The Table (who is out of Raunchy). He was bred in New York by Night Mare Racing as a second quarter two year old, and acquired by Barcelona Farms, unraced, one month ago to this day for just $5.000 in the auction. Now there’s a bargain! Congratulations to the connections! With the win, Table Stakes is two-for-two in his career and has quickly won $315.000.
| ## | Horse Name | Owner Name | Jockey | Odds | Fin | Time | SRF | |||
|
Table Stakes | Barcelona Farms | Van Dyke D | 4.10 | 12 | 1:42.22 | ||||
|
Edge Of Chai | Mb Stables | Velazquez J R | 1.25 | 21/2 | 1:42.68 | ||||
|
People Doubted | Mb Stables | Ortiz I Jr | 4.20 | 31/4 | 1:42.79 | ||||
|
Subutai | EasyMoney Stables | Geroux F | 9.35 | 41/2 | 1:42.88 | ||||
|
Liverpool Hurricane | Saratoga Stud | Bejarano R | 12.45 | 51/4 | 1:42.99 | ||||
|
Its Now Or Never | D J C Racing Stables | Pennington F | 34.15 | 6no | 1:43.09 | ||||
|
Having A Blast | Mb Stables | Desormeaux K J | 52.65 | 73/4 | 1:43.11 | ||||
|
Badge | D J C Racing Stables | Albarado R J | 6.30 | 8 | 1:43.28 |
Track: Fast
Time: :234 :473 1:111 1:421
$2 Mutuel Prices:
| 5 – Table Stakes | 10.20 | 3.70 | 8.30 |
| 8 – Edge Of Chai | 2.70 | 2.30 | |
| 2 – People Doubted | 2.90 |
$1 Exacta: 5 – 8 Paid 70.30
$1 Trifecta: 5 – 8 – 2 Paid 174.50
Scratched: Controlled Lion
— NS
Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES
