Meet the Contenders: 2023 Breeders' Futurity
Timberlake (Photo by Coady Photography)
October 3rd, 2023
Meet the horses running in the 2023 Breeders' Futurity. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well.
The Wine Steward is one of the top progeny by Vino Rosso in 2023. (Photo by Coady Photography)
#1 The Wine Steward ***
Pro: Undefeated multiple stakes winner is bred to enjoy extra distance.
Con: Two of three wins have been versus New York-breds; more needed here.
Timberlake (Photo by Coady Photography)
#2 Timberlake ***
Pro: Much-improved since addition of blinkers following subpar debut.
Con: Defeated by huge outsider in slow edition of Hopeful (G1).
Awesome Road (Photo by Coady Photography)
#3 Awesome Road ****
Pro: Beat next-out winner on debut at Ellis; from the family of Pulpit.
Con: Will need to conserve some speed traveling an extra five-sixteenths.
Baytown Chatterbox (Photo by Coady Photography)
#4 Baytown Chatterbox *
Pro: Has won around two turns already; shock winner of Ellis Park Juvenile.
Con: No threat in the aforementioned modest renewal of the Hopeful.
West Saratoga (Photo by Coady Photography)
#5 West Saratoga ***
Pro: Has won two straight since dropping first four, including Iroquois (G3).
Con: Beneficiary of pace collapse in that Churchill stakes; flow likely different here.
Generous Tipper (Photo by Coady Photography)
#6 Generous Tipper ***
Pro: Impressively graduated second time on dirt; Kenny McPeek has won this three times.
Con: Concedes stakes experience to most of these.
Just Steel (inside) edging Be You in a Saratoga maiden special weight (Photo by Coglianese Photos/Susie Raisher)
#7 Just Steel **
Pro: Outran likely favorite here when graduating two back.
Con: Dueled into submission in Hopeful; needs to relax more.
Northern Flame (Photo by Coady Photography)
#8 Northern Flame **
Pro: Flashed more speed last time, prevailed as favorite against maiden foes.
Con: Well-beaten by several of these in first two outings.
Locked (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#9 Locked *****
Pro: Rebounded from debut loss to graduate with a 105 Brisnet speed rating.
Con: Potential candidate to bounce while facing tougher opposition.
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