Keeneland: How to bet the Breeders' Futurity

Keeneland Opening Day (Photo by Coady Photography)

October 6th, 2022

An overflow field of 16 two-year-olds will vie in Saturday’s $600,000 Breeders’ Futurity S. (G1) at Keeneland. The 1 1/16-mile dirt test attracted some good-looking juvenile prospects in what appears to be a fascinating race, which is also as a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series qualifier for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and part of the Road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby series.

Trainer Brad Cox has two prime contenders in the field, led by #2 Loggins (4-1). By Ghostzapper, the $460,000 yearling purchase debuted at Churchill Downs on September 17 and impressed in a big way while dominating maiden special weight foes by 8 1/2 widening lengths. The colt finished fast under moderate urging and is bred to run long, so I expect him to handle the stretch out to two turns with ease in this tilt.

Loggins earned a hefty 99 Brisnet Speed figure at first asking and has come back to fire a strong half-mile breeze in anticipation of his stakes bow. The March foal will be sent some in the early going to secure a good position in the huge field by Florent Geroux.

#5 Loggins (4/5) miles best to break the maiden at first asking with @flothejock up for @bradcoxracing.

The #TwinSpiresReplay ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/gJvb5QmcMc
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires) September 17, 2022

#5 Instant Coffee (5-1) was sent postward at 14-1 odds on debut at Saratoga on September 3, but the colt outran his price and then some following a late-running victory at seven panels. The dark bay colt registered a huge 103 Brisnet Late Pace number in the heat and almost surely will thrive with more ground to work with in this spot. The son of Bolt d’Oro overcame adversity at first calling and appears to have a very bright future for Brad Cox. Luis Saez will guide the dark bay colt.

Hopeful S. (G1) victor #7 Forte (3-1) atoned for his Sanford S. (G3) fourth-place finish with a splendid score at The Spa for conditioner Todd Pletcher. The Violence colt was a dynamic debut winner at 1-5 odds at Belmont Park in May and surely bears reckoning while making his route debut on Saturday. Regular pilot Irad Ortiz retains the mount and will have the win contender tracking the pace from the opening bell.