Godolphin’s Annual Report Rallies to Win Futurity

Annual Report pulled away to an impressive win in the $200,000 Futurity Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park. (Photo by Adam Coglianese/NYRA)
Godolphin Racing’s Annual Report showed a new dimension by rallying from last to first in the $200,000 Futurity Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park.
Annual Report dueled for the early lead in his career debut on Sept. 20 at Parx Racing and dominated in a 5 ¼-length victory. Regular rider Joe Bravo did not intend to drop back to last in the Grade 2 Futurity, but he encountered some adversity in his second career race.
“It was not my intention to be that far back but it just got a little tight down the backside,” Bravo explained. “He was really comfortable and going good, and by the three-eighths pole he started getting to them and getting to them. He really hit his stride.”
Annual Report took command in the final eighth of a mile of the six-furlong (three-quarters of a mile) race and edged away from 1.75-to-1 favorite King Kranz to win by 1 ½ lengths.
Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, he completed the distance in 1:09.82 and earned the winner’s share of the $120,000 purse.
First held in 1888, the Futurity was at one time considered one of the most prestigous races for 2-year-olds. The legendary Man o' War and Triple Crown winners Citation, Secretariat and Affirmed all won the Futurity as 2-year-olds. Annual Report added his name on Saturday to a powerful list of Futurity winners in racing's history books.
Annual Report was purchased in March by Godolphin for $600,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Florida sale of 2-year-olds in training. Godolphin is the global racing operation of the family of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai.
“That was a nice win,” McLaughlin said. “We'll probably stretch him out before too long. I loved the way he moved through the turn."
Annual Report went from seven lengths back after the opening quarter-mile to first with an eighth of a mile left in what McLaughlin said was a very good learning experience. He returned $16.80 for a $2 win ticket as the fifth betting choice in the six-horse field.
From the penultimate crop of 2002 Florida Derby winner Harlan’s Holiday, Annual Report is out of the winning Seeking the Gold mare Pension, a full-sister (same dam [mother], same sire [father]) to graded stakes winner Happy Hunting.
Annual Report’s grandam (maternal grandmother) is Grade 1 winner Furlough, by Easy Goer. Furlough is a half-sister (same dam, different sire) to 1989 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Dancing Spree and Grade 1 winner and producer Fantastic Find.
“We sent him down to Parx for the experience, and he didn't do anything wrong down there,” Godolphin Racing manager Jimmy Bell said. “A little bit of the unknown when you go out of town then come back here for the race, which probably was reflected in the odds, but he's a runner. He was very professional when he went about his business, we're excited and [have] a lot to look forward to.”
For an Equibase chart, click here.
ANNUAL REPORT TAKES COMMAND IN FUTURITY

Photo by Adam Coglianese/NYRA