12/17/22

  2  LA    LA Futurity (GII) [KYD]
$200.000   2YO     1 1/16m  Dirt      120lbs +penalties

La-La land and TC hopefuls makes for an exciting day of racing, and we look at the field for the LA Futurity (GII).  I guess the big question today is can Quiet Return take his grass form to the main track… if he can, look out.  He just ran away late in the BC Juv Turf (GI) and if that translates to the dirt, he could be lights out.  There’s no doubt that Gorogue Laga can run on the main track, and he looked good as the runner-up in the BC Juv (GI) after three big wins.  There is a ton of talent in this race, and you know I’m horrible at these 2yo races, so go with your gut and good luck. 

Here’s The Field – 

Since the vet stopped by to change his priorities, he’s won three races and was second on BC Day.  He broke maiden at WO then won a stakes up there, won the DMR Futurity (GI) and closed to be second in the BC Juv (GI).  It’s hard to say anything bad about him, that’s for sure. 

Broke maiden at SA vs Cal-bred types then was fifth in the Brown at CD, where he set the early pace and couldn’t go on with it in the late stages.  Sharp barn, so they like something they see here, but I’ll look at some others. 

Never off of the board in five starts, winning his first three including the Best Pal (GIII), then was second in the DMR Futurity (GI) and a respectable third in the BC Juv (GI).  Solid colt with a solid resume and you have to give him a big look today, as well.

Another that never seems to run a bad race, but this is an obvious step-up in class, today.  He looked good winning the Dixon Jr at PID, and just missed in the Lafitte at DED in his most recent.  I guess we see what he’s made of. 

Broke maiden at CD in his most recent trip to the starting gate, his third start, and he jumps into the deep end going after this bunch today.  Taking him to the mile and a sixteenth distance looks to be just what he wanted, so maybe this one is worth a look, with some odds. 

He broke maiden at LS, then was off of the board in both the SAR Special (GII) and Champaign (GI), showing some life last out in the Bowman Mill at KEE.  He’s going to have to improve with this group, if he want some cash. 

He broke maiden in the KD Juv, then was second in the Borbon (GII) at KEE, staying there to be fourth in the BC Juv Turf (GI), then sold after that race.  So, the new barn moves him to the main track to see if he can carry that form from the lawn. 

This one has done most of his damage north of the border, breaking maiden at WO, and taking the Coronation Futurity up there.  He changes hands for this one, so let’s see what the new barn can pull off. 

Sharp horse that may come into this with some odds, and I think he’s a horse that could make some noise.  He broke maiden with an off-the-pace move, then was third in the Champaign (GI) in similar fashion, and that was an off track, then showed speed to take down a nice Alw field at CD in his most recent.  Keep an eye on this one. 

Ding Ding Ding!  Here is your monster alert.  Broke maiden at SAR, won the Pilgrim (GII) at AQU then rolled to a two-length win in the BC Juv Turf (GI)… and there is the key word, turf.  They move the big guy over to the main track today, so let’s see how that works out. 

   –  Early scratch  –  

Won his first two starts, then closed to be second in the Hopeful (GI), and also closed to be fourth in the Champaign (GI).  He gave a very dull effort on BC Day, but I’d look for him to bounce back and give a much better effort today. 

 COZMAN    10 / 1          Willie’s Green Card     10 / 2 / 3

Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES, THE TRIPLE CROWN