Despite dropping his first two stakes attempts, A. P. WARRIOR (A.P. Indy) is
the one to beat in what promises to be an outstanding edition of the $250,000
Hollywood Futurity (G1). A sharp four-length debut maiden winner in his lone
appearance at Hollywood Park, the Eoin Harty-trained A. P. Warrior brings strong
form into Saturday’s 1 1/16-mile test, easily disposing of his rivals last time
in a tough one-mile allowance at Santa Anita in early November. Among those left
in his wake was BOB AND JOHN (Seeking the Gold), who also merits serious respect
for top honors Saturday off a breakthrough performance in the Real Quiet S.
Trained by Bob Baffert, Bob and John wasn’t effective sprinting early in his
career, but he’s gotten better with experience and added ground. The improving
colt continued to show more in the 1 1/16-mile Real Quiet S. at Hollywood,
dominating through the stretch before being controversially disqualified by the
heavily criticized stewards in Southern California. Victor Espinoza rides the
promising colt.
BROTHER DEREK (Benchmark) parlayed a game win over A. P. Warrior in the
Norfolk S. (G2) into a good fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), and
trainer Dan Hendricks is looking for a big effort from his charge. The unbeaten
YOUR TENT OR MINE (Forest Camp), a sharp 2 1/2-length victor in the Hollywood
Prevue S. (G3) last out, could have a major say in his two-turn debut for
trainer Neil Drysdale. JEALOUS PROFIT (Trippi), the third-place finisher in the
Del Mar Futurity (G2) and Norfolk, adds more depth to the crackerjack field.
The eight contestants, in post order with jockeys, are Bob and John; OLD
THUNDER (Fusaichi Pegasus), Tyler Baze; KOBAYASHI (Ecton Park), Martin Pedroza;
Your Tent or Mine, Pat Valenzuela; Brother Derek, Alex Solis; ECRU EGRET (Silver
Hawk), Jon Court; Jealous Profit, Corey Nakatani; and A. P. Warrior, Garrett
Gomez.
All starters will carry 121 pounds.