As most of you know, my primary interest is in two-year-old racing, so lets take a closer look at three graded races that will be decided on Saturday.
This year’s edition of the Arlington-Washington Futurity (G3) is a terrific race, which should offer a bevy of wagering opportunities. The one-mile event, which was first held in 1927, features a highly competitive field of 14, and I’m going to take a stand against the morning-line favorites Capt. Candyman Can, My Dominick James and Advice.
Jose Adan, bred, owned and trained by the ever-dangerous Wayne Catalano, is my top choice. I have been following this horse ever since his debut on July 13, and that effort was one of the most visually impressive performances I have seen by a juvenile this year.
In his debut, the dark bay was checked sharply and taken up out of a no-hole situation on the rail near the three-sixteenths pole, then dropped back and angled out with just a furlong remaining, before accelerating like he was shot out of a cannon. I personally timed his final eighth-mile in about 12 seconds, and his final sixteenth in about :5 3/5.
In his most recent start, Jose Adan bobbled at the break, bumped the foe to his inside, then was well back along the rail. He advanced along the inside around the turn, but was in a pocket near the quarter-mile grounds before angling out turning for home and running down the long-gone, loose-on-the-lead front runner in time. He is a juicy 12-1 on the morning line.
His Greatness, who was unveiled on Arlington Million Day, broke slowly, then flashed speed along the rail while under a hold. The Marco Salazar trainee had to wait in a pocket around the turn, then was checked while in tight in upper stretch, before closing determinedly and drawing off in a snappy 1:10 3/5. The bay colt has been training forwardly since then and adds first-time Lasix and Alex Solis. He is also a compelling 12-1 on the morning line.
Another price play could be Terrain, who rallied three wide on the turn before edging away in the Mountaineer Juvenile S. last time out. The Al Stall pupil went into the starting gate at 8-1, but crossed the wire at 9-2, which is a pretty significant odds drop during the running of the race. He could be live.
At Belmont Park, the Futurity S. (G2) and Matron S. (G2) for fillies, will be run.
In the Futurity, which was first held in 1888, I’m going to take a stand against the 7-5 morning line favorite Charitable Man, as well as the highly regarded Girolamo and Gone Astray.
Instead, my longshot special is Flying Pegasus, who is 20-1 on the morning line. The undefeated colt got away last, then stalked the early pace while under a hold in a pocket, before splitting rivals in upper stretch and responding nicely to win a six-furlong allowance going away at Delaware Park in his latest. He could be overlooked in this spot.
Both of the Larry Jones trainees — High Mesa and Friesan Fire — could surprise with first-time Lasix. The former lures go-to rider Gabriel Saez, while the latter was a good-looking, hand-ridden debut winner. They are both 10-1 on the morning line and will race uncoupled in the wagering.
In the Matron, I like the Shug McGaughey-trained Persistently, who exits an impressive, last-to-first, seven-furlong maiden score at the Spa. The chestnut filly advanced on the far outside around the turn, then closed determinedly to win going away. She is an intriguing 8-1 on the morning line.
Others to consider are Adirondack S. (G2) runner-up Doremifasollatido and the speedy Nick Zito-trained Miss Ocean City.
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There are several interesting races that will take place today, not the least of which is the specially created Monmouth S. on the New Jersey shore that will feature Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Big Brown in his final prep for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).
Tags: Alex Solis, Arlington-Washington Futurity, Big Brown, Breeders' Cup Classic, Capt. Candyman Can, Doremifasollatido, Flying Pegasus, Futurity, Girolamo, handicapping, His Greatness, Jose Adan, Larry Jones, Matron, Miss Ocean City, Persistently, Shug McGaughey, spot plays, The Joyce Report, Throughbred racing, Wayne Catalano
