Taking a Shot Against Nyquist in Del Mar Futurity
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Nyquist was dominant in the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes in August (above) and is unbeaten in two starts, but America's Best Racing handicapper Jose Contreras is looking at another contender to take the top prize in the Del Mar Futurity. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
The $300,000, Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on closing day of the 2015 Del Mar summer meet drew a competitive field of eight 2-year-olds.
Is another future Triple Crown winner somewhere in this field? We’ll find out down the road as these runners still have plenty of room to improve, but if we rewind to this time last year, this race is where American Pharoah broke his maiden on his path to becoming a Triple Crown winner and household name.
Let’s take a look at the 2015 Del Mar Futurity field:
#1 Nightly News finished an encouraging second at a mile when making his debut for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. That’s not an easy thing to do. He’s cutting back in distance and has a good workout. I think he can hit the trifecta.
#2 Annie’s Candy got beat by a few of these in the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes on Aug. 8 and will have to improve greatly to make an impact against this tougher field.
#3 Swipe finished in front of Annie’s Candy but behind Nyquist last time out in the Best Pal. He can close some ground late if the pace is fast early on. Throw him in your superfecta.
#4 Mt Veeder won his debut and looked to be doing everything on his own early on. Jockey Martin Garcia had to work late down the stretch, but it was a very good performance for Baffert. I think there is plenty of potential here at what could be a nice price. He’s my pick to win.
#5 Nyquist is a perfect 2-for-2 and looks to be getting better. He tracked a comfortable pace last time out and got a pretty easy trip. He’s the one to beat off a 5 ¼-length win in the Best Pal.
#6 Archaeo was bet to 7-to-2 odds in his debut but didn’t fire at all when finishing fifth in a field of seven. He’s adding blinkers, and I think we will see a much-improved colt today.
#7 Blameitonthelaw was used early on his debut to establish a good position behind a pair of dueling leaders before finding an opening on the rail to win going away. He’s got the talent to be a good one.
#8 Rockin Bayou is a big contender in my book. I think he will run a big race from the outside post, tracking the pacesetters. Use him in exactas and trifectas.
Strategy on a Budget:
$8 win: #4 Mt Veeder ($8)
$1 trifecta: 4 with 1,5,7,8 with 1,5,7,8 ($12)
Total: $20
$300,000 Del Mar FuturityMonday, Del Mar, Race 8, 8:40 p.m. ET7 furlongs, dirt, 2-year-olds
PP
Horse
Jockey
Trainer
Owner
Odds
1
Nightly News
Rafael Bejarano
Bob Baffert
Hal J. Earnhardt
TBD
2
Annie's Candy
Victor Espinoza
Peter Miller
Rockingham Ranch or Littlefield
TBD
3
Swipe
Kent Desormeaux
Keith Desormeaux
Big Chief Racing
TBD
4
Mt Veeder
Martin Garcia
Bob Baffert
Stonestreet Stables and George Bolton
TBD
5
Nyquist
Mario Gutierrez
Doug O'Neill
Reddam Racing
TBD
6
Archaeo
James Graham
Doug O'Neill
Great Friends Stable, Keh or Vaccaro
TBD
7
Blameitonthelaw
Tyler Baze
John Sadler
Doubledown Stables
TBD
8
Rockin Bayou
Mike Smith
Jeff Mullins
Patterson, Rey or Rudolph
TBD