Meet the Contenders: 2024 Breeders' Futurity Stakes
Handsome Pants winning his debut at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
October 2nd, 2024
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland. 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. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your stable alerts.
Ferocious (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#1 Ferocious ****
Pro: Made late rally in Hopeful (G1) after looking beaten early in stretch.
Con: Latest run and slow start in debut suggests he still has some maturity issues.
Ferocious stretches out in Breeders’ Futurity, Brightwork faces older foes in Thoroughbred Club of America. 🤩 @J_Keelerman https://t.co/AB5ADdm5TW
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) October 2, 2024
Saratoga Cruiser wins at Horseshoe Indianapolis (Photo by Coady Media)
#2 Saratoga Cruiser *
Pro: Along in time to graduate after conceding nine lengths early.
Con: Faces a much stronger class of horse here than at Indianapolis.
Optical wins at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
#3 Optical *
Pro: Romped by 14 lengths, albeit against suspect auction maiden field.
Con: More exposed than most of these needing four starts to graduate.
#9 Optical dominates in R9 at @churchilldowns at 6/1 under @james_d_graham for trainer Keith Desormeaux! 👀💪
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 18, 2024
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/Muw0qZtqDT
Handsome Pants winning his debut at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
#4 Handsome Pants ****
Pro: Off-the-pace winner first out over this distance for Derby-winning connections.
Con: Backers got a nice price last time (10-1); odds figure to be notably shorter here.
#KentuckyDerby Maiden Watch. 🌹 @J_Keelerman shares 5️⃣ maiden winners that caught his eye this past week! ⤵️ https://t.co/J77uZYZWuO
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 18, 2024
East Avenue wins at Ellis Park (Photo by Coady Media)
#5 East Avenue ***
Pro: Won easily first out at Ellis; one of a few on paper with early foot.
Con: Got away with setting a moderate tempo first out; possibly difficult to replicate.
The royally bred EAST AVENUE lived up to the hype in his debut @EllisParkRacing!
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 24, 2024
Jockey: @luanmachado85 🇧🇷
Trainer: @brenpwalsh #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/bIsxsPwlFp
Filoso wins at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Susie Raisher
#6 Filoso ***
Pro: Took big step forward second out to win convincingly; better still to come.
Con: Has encountered trouble both starts and will need to work out a clean trip.
Another one for @DavisJockey! 💪🔥
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 29, 2024
#2 Filoso stretches out to a mile and graduates at 7/1 in R6 at #TheSpa for trainer @horsesummers! pic.twitter.com/eROcK4HBLk
Messero wins at Ellis Park (Photo by Coady Media)
#7 Mesero **
Pro: Hails from barn that has won this race four times.
Con: Made little impact in stakes debut at Churchill; this a tougher spot.
Dale Romans is chasing after a record fifth win in the Iroquois today @ChurchillDowns. He talks Mesero and his filly in the Grade 3 Pocahontas.
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 14, 2024
🎤 @AshleyAnd502 pic.twitter.com/ElXrqRRmtX
Big Boat wins at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
#8 Big Boat ***
Pro: Won stylishly for barn that can get them ready first out; sire won this race.
Con: Unlikely to see as fast a pace in this longer test.
Tenacious Leader wins at Saratoga (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Susie Raisher)
#9 Tenacious Leader ****
Pro: Handles all surfaces and just missed to next-out Pilgrim (G2) winner.
Con: Connections have focused less on dirt with him, and Ortiz stays in NY to ride.
#7 Tenacious Leader stretches out to 1 1/16-miles and pulls clear in R7 at Saratoga! 🏆
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 10, 2024
The 2YO colt was piloted by @iradortiz for trainer Todd Pletcher and owners @spendthriftfarm and @RepoleStable! pic.twitter.com/pJcW2ltHmS
Dapper Moon wins at Saratoga (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#10 Dapper Moon ***
Pro: Produced big Saratoga maiden win after finishing second best on debut.
Con: Jump from maiden to stakes is significant and wide draw no bargain.
#4 Dapper Moon open up in the end to win R8 at Saratoga under @RSantana_jr for trainer @dallasstewart3! 🌙
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 31, 2024
Another top pick winner for handicapper @atthetrack7, this time at 4/1! 💰 pic.twitter.com/WckmHDdNRB
Ready for Peace wins at Colonial Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
#11 Ready for Peace **
Pro: Form hard to knock so far, including third in Kentucky Downs stakes.
Con: Tough spot in which to try dirt for the first time.
#3 Ready for Peace impresses on debut to win Race 2 @ColonialDowns as the 8/5 favorite!
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) August 17, 2024
Jockey: Horacio Karamanos
Trainer: @IgnacioCorreas
Owner: Ikhana Farm
🎥 #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/XFiljbJVzZ
