AMERICAN GRADED STAKES
PREVIEW
| DEL MAR FUTURITY
(G2), 8TH-DMR, $250,000, 2YO, 7F, 5:30 P.M. (PDT), 9-6 |
|
| 1 |
PRIME RULER, 2, c, by OrientateSwift Alliance, by Afleet O-C R Cono LLC; B-Robert Raphaelson & New Dawn (Ky) |
| 2 |
LUCKY THIRTEEN, 2, G, by Swiss YodelerMagic Rythm, by Cahill Road O-Heinz Steinmann; B-Heinz Steinmann (Ca) |
| 3 |
DIVIDE AND CONQUER, 2, c, by Mr. GreeleyDiversa, by Tabasco Cat O-Little Red Feather Racing; B-Allan Dragone (Ky) |
| 4 |
STORMELLO, 2, c, by Stormy AtlanticWilshewed, by Carson City O-Currin or Eisman; B-Al Eisman & William Currin (Ky) |
| 5 |
HORSE GREELEY, 2, c, by Mr. GreeleyChile Chatte, by Storm Cat O-Ray T or Martha G Parfet; B-Martha Parfet & R. T. Parfet (Ky) |
| 6 |
CAPED FOR FLIGHT, 2, c, by Cape TownStormy Bend, by Storm Bird O-Blinkers On Racing Stable Kelsick &; B-Richard Condon Helen Condon (Ky) |
| 7 |
GREAT HUNTER, 2, c, by AptitudeZenith, by Roy O-J Paul Reddam; B-Ivy Dell Stud (Pa) |
Wednesday’s $250,000 Del Mar Futurity (G2) is the closing-day feature at the
seaside oval, and the seven-furlong event will be held over dirt for the perhaps
the final time as Del Mar plans to switch to a synthetic surface for its main
track in 2007. Last year’s Del Mar Futurity was captured by eventual champion
and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Stevie Wonderboy (Stephen Got Even), and
trainer Doug O’Neill will seek a second straight Futurity victory with GREAT
HUNTER (Aptitude).
After making his first two starts at Lone Star Park, Great Hunter was
acquired by J. Paul Reddam and transferred to O’Neill. He finished a solid second
when making his first start for his new connections in the Hollywood Juvenile
Championship S. (G3), offering a bold rally to reach contention before
flattening out a little in the stretch while racing greenly, and followed with a
runner-up effort in the Best Pal S. (G2) last time out. Great Hunter dropped far
off the pace last time before getting involved late, registering a 101 BRIS Late
Pace rating, and O’Neill will add blinkers on Wednesday in an effort to get
Great Hunter more focused during the early stages. The dark bay colt responded
well with the hood in his latest workout, breezing four furlongs in :47 4/5 last
Wednesday, and he’s drawn favorably in the far outside post with Corey Nakatani.
We’ll look for him to be closer to the pace before launching a winning move.
PRIME RULER (Orientate) recovered from a stumbling start to win his career
bow, turning in one of the most visually impressive performances of the Del Mar
meet, and earned the best BRIS Speed rating in this field (97) for that effort.
The Christopher Paasch pupil is certainly eligible to keep showing more, and we
have a ton of respect for his chances in his start against winners. Prime
Ruler didn’t draw the best post (1), but we wouldn’t be surprised to see him
display speed from the start under Alex Solis.
HORSE GREELEY (Mr. Greeley) is a promising juvenile from the Richard Mandella
shedrow. He didn’t break quickly and traveled wide in first outing, but he still
managed to pass a lot of horses and wound up a good second to subsequent Best
Pal winner Principle Secret (Sea of Secrets). The chestnut colt then crushed
maiden special weight rivals, drawing clear to a four-length tally in a 6
1/2-furlong event, and he might relish the added ground. Horse Greeley will be
forwardly placed from the break and looms an attractive option for the
multi-race wagers.
DIVIDE AND CONQUER (Mr. Greeley) is one to consider for the bottom of the
exotics at long odds. After breaking his maiden first time out at Hollywood, the
Don Chatlos Jr. trainee followed up with a fifth in the Best Pal, but he did
earn solid Pace and Speed numbers while passing horses late. He’s eligible to
keep showing more on Wednesday.
STORMELLO (Stormy Atlantic) will likely show speed with new rider Kent
Desormeaux, but he may face too much pace pressure. CAPED FOR FLIGHT (Cape Town) will
come out winging it, but we’ll give him a start at this level. LUCKY THIRTEEN
(Swiss Yodeler) exits a sharp maiden win over Cal-breds, but he’s got his work
cut out for him in this spot.