CashCall Futurity

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

Saturday’s $750,000 CashCall Futurity (G1), better known as the Hollywood
Futurity, attracted a field of 12 colts and geldings, and in all likelihood the
1 1/16-mile affair will come down to tactics. Given the frequency of the main
track’s tilt toward early speed, it would not surprise us if someone, say
VENTANA (Toccet), shakes loose and hides from the rest. But looking over the
race more, we can’t help but think the fractions will be lively and the better
among this dozen will be those stalking or closing from the back.

CHOCOLATE CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]), like his sire, has gotten better the
longer he goes, and with back-to-back two-turn victories he’s our choice to
scoop up the laurels. He earned solid Late Pace figures of 106 and 107 in both
his maiden score and the Real Quiet S., and his worktab since the latter win has
been very good. The game of musical jockeys continue, with Rafael Bejarano
returning after a two-race absence, but he handled this colt well in a race at
Del Mar over the summer.

PIONEEROF THE NILE (Empire Maker) endured an even midpack trip after minor
early trouble in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), and figures to make a late
impact if he doesn’t fall too far off the pace. His uncoupled stablemate from
the Bob Baffert barn, Ventana, should set things up for both him and other
closers we prefer.

J P JAMMER (Old Topper), second to Chocolate Candy in the Real Quiet, showed
rare speed that day, but is more likely to revert to a stalking position here.
His loss two back in the California Cup Juvenile raises class concerns, but he
broke from post 13 that day and was wide around both turns in a decent effort.

Because this will be run on Cushion Track, this race has naturally attracted
a fair share of juveniles that have been running on turf. MR. ROD (Scrimshaw),
BITTEL ROAD (Stormy Atlantic) and HYPE (More Than Ready) finished in that order
in the Generous S. (G3) on grass last month, and of those we prefer Hype to
relish the synthetic surface more and to improve on his stakes debut in the
Generous. There is plenty to like about Bittel Road from a class perspective and
a strong effort by him would be no surprise. Mr. Rod might find himself
too close to a quick pace.

AZUL LEON (Lion Heart), the early season leader among the freshman colts in
California, seems more effective as closing sprinter. His two route attempts
left much to be desired. I WANT REVENGE (Stephen Got Even) is an interesting
longshot given he won at first asking around two turns and has the pedigree to
improve even more. His lack of experience outside the maiden ranks troubles us,
though. English invader AXEL FOLEY (Officer) is certainly the unknown quantity
of this field, and we’re willing to let him foil us at a price.

It’s no secret that Baffert intends on having Ventana sent from the start, so
we question whether he’ll be around at the end after he deals with Golden Gate
invader FRUMIOUS (Grindstone), who is well known for setting fast splits. MARK S
THE COOLER (Johar), who breaks on the far outside, was seventh in the Real Quiet
and would be better suited trying to graduate against maiden company.