2015 Breeders’ Futurity Stakes Preview
The Road to the 2016 Kentucky Derby will continue on Saturday, October 3 with the second of two races on the day. The Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity Stakes will take place at Keeneland with a full field of 12 horses.
The Grade 1 event will be run at 1 1/16 miles on the main track and will be around two turns. The race has a purse of $500,00 and also awards points towards the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard.
The winner will receive 10 points for the victory, second place will receive 4 points, third place will receive 2 points, and fourth place will receive one point.
The Breeders’ Futurity is scheduled for 5:10 PM Eastern time and is carded as the eighth of 10 races. Free Past performances can be found here by going to Saturday, October 3 and going to Keeneland – Race 8. Entries have also been provided in the table below.
| Post Position | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Morning Line Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rated R Superstar | Calvin Borel | Ken McPeek | 6-1 |
| 2 | Uncle Jerry | James Graham | Eoin Harty | 30-1 |
| 3 | Hawkbill | Mike Smith | Charles Appleby | SCRATCHED |
| 4 | Gametown | Julien Leparoux | Mark Casse | 12-1 |
| 5 | Brody's Cause | Corey Lanerie | Dale Romans | 6-1 |
| 6 | Sticksstatelydude | Brian Hernandez Jr. | Greg Burchell | 10-1 |
| 7 | Exaggerator | Kent Desormeaux | Keith Desormeaux | 7-2 |
| 8 | Sheikh of Sheikhs | Edgar Prado | Wesley Ward | 5-1 |
| 9 | Wild Man | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Steve Asmussen | 15-1 |
| 10 | Threefivendia | Chris Landeros | Stephen Lyster | 30-1 |
| 11 | Pinnacle Peak | Victor Espinoza | Michael Stidham | 15-1 |
| 12 | Uncle Vinny | Luis Saez | Todd Pletcher | 9-2 |
1. Rated R Superstar – His debut came on July 25 at Ellis Park. He pressed the pace throughout, but could not fend off the eventual winner losing by only a half-length. He came back last out to press the pace again, but this time he drew off to win by 5 lengths again at Ellis Park. In the latest race, he had a slow break in the Grade 3 Iroquois. He sat about 10 lengths off the lead early on, but went up on the backstretch and far turn to move all the way from seventh to second. He continued to run evenly in the stretch and finished second by 2 lengths. He will probably be closer to the pace today and has a good look from the rail to make some noise underneath at a price.
2. Uncle Jerry – His debut came at Presque Isle going 6 furlongs in early August. He was close to the pace and tried to run them down in the stretch, but could not get there. He finished third by 2 in a pretty solid debut. He came back about 6 weeks later going a mile. He had an unfortunate start where he was left near the rear of the field and had to come from off the pace. He made up his ground on the far turn and in the stretch he pulled away to win by 3 lengths. The waters get much deeper here and he will need to improve drastically to have a chance.
3. Hawkbill – Scratched.
4. Gametown – He is a still a maiden, but he has two solid efforts on his resume. His debut came at Saratoga on the lawn going 5.5 furlongs. He had a slow start and was forced to close in the stretch, but he did stoutly despite some weaving in and out in the stretch. He finished second by three lengths and was then sent to Churchill to try the main track. He went a mile on September 11 where he had a much better start and close to the pace. He took the lead in the stretch, but was caught late and finished second again, this time by 3/4 of a length. He has some talent, despite not winning yet and could hit the board.
5. Brody’s Cause – His debut was horrendous on August 1 at Ellis Park. He went a mile on the turf, but did not lift a hoof finishing eighth by 25 lengths. His latest race was at Churchill Downs on the main track going a mile as well. He broke near the back of the field, but was within five lengths. He made a move on turn and continued his run in the stretch to win by 1 1/4 lengths. He has a decent chance in this spot.
6. Sticksstatelydude – He debuted here at Churchill where he tracked the pace in second. He was unable to pass the leader and had to settle for second by a length and a half. He then went up to Saratoga where he sat off the pace and had to go wide in the stretch. He closed well enough to win by 2 lengths. He should get another good trip, but is making his first start around two turns in this spot. Intriguing longshot in this race…
7. Exaggerator – His debut at Santa Anita in early June was not very good. He was fifth by 9 1/2 lengths and was always well behind, but lost a talented horse in Nyquist. His second race was far better with him coming off the pace and was just able to get up for the win by a nose. He was then shipped to Saratoga for the Grade 2 Saratoga Special. He had a similar off the pace style and was able to close and win again by 3/4 of a length. He is a big threat in this race.
8. Sheikh of Sheikhs – He has only one start and it was a good one. He went straight to the lead and never looked back winning by 1 3/4 lengths at six furlongs at Saratoga. He will probably be on the lead again in this race and will be making his first start at a route. Interestingly, his latest workout was on the turf, which may be a signal if things do not go well here. Tough call on him.
9. Wild Man – Another horse who has yet to break his maiden, he made his debut on August 29 at Saratoga. Going six furlongs, he sat in a good spot behind the leaders, but could not make up much ground in the stretch, as he finished third by four lengths. His second start was at Belmont going a mile. Once again, he sat off the pace and he closed well in stretch. He was bumped and finished third by a neck in another solid effort. He does appear to be a touch below the top horses in here, but he has gone a route distance.
10. Threefiveindia – He debuted at Ellis Park in late August going 5.5 furlongs. He had an awkward start and was able to get a spot behind the leaders. He made his move on the turn and in stretch to win by 2 lengths. His workouts have been solid and he should like the extra ground. However, he will need to step way up to contend in this spot.
11. Pinnacle Peak – He debuted at Prairie Meadows in Iowa with a solid second place finish by 3 1/2 lengths. He broke inward and then came on in the stretch. His second start was a stretch out to a mile and he responded with a crushing victory. He went gate-to-wire and won by 10 lengths in an easy performance. He next start was in the Sapling Stakes at Monmouth and he had to go wide for much of the race. That took its toll on him as he weakened to finish third by 8 3/4 lengths. He will probably have another wide trip in here again if he wants the lead and that makes it tough to endorse him.
12. Uncle Vinny – He ran his debut at Belmont going 5 furlongs and he took over after a bit of a tough start. He won by 4 1/2 lengths and then had a quick turnaround to run in the Tremont Stakes two weeks later. It may have been too quick as he was never close to threatening and finish sixth by 7 1/2 lengths. After a slight break, he returned in the Grade 3 Sanford where he tracked and pounced in the stretch, but could not get to the winner. He was second by 3/4 of a length, but was put up to first after a disqualification. His next race was the Grade 1 Hopeful and he had a bit of a wide trip. He ended up third by 8 3/4 lengths, but was never seriously threatening to win. He will have a wide trip out here, but could find the distance more to his liking.
Selections
This race was tough to figure out due to post positions and a lot horses trying this distance for the first time. #5 Brody’s Cause went this distance in his last race (around one turn), but he improved drastically from his turf try. #1 Rated R Superstar ran a solid second in the Grade 3 Iroquois and should have a good trip from the rail. #7 Exaggerator is talented and should appreciate the stretch out around two turns. #6 Sticksstatelydude is worth a shot underneath in the exotics.
Top selection – #5 Brody’s Cause
2nd selection – #1 Rated R Superstar
3rd selection – #7 Exaggerator
4th selection – #6 Sticksstatelydude
Check back for a recap of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity Stakes.