The 2023 Breeders’ Futurity Tipsheet

A total of nine two-year-olds will go postward in the $600,000 Breeders’ Futurity S. (G1) on Saturday. The winner will receive an automatic berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita on Nov. 3. 

Breeders’ Futurity Selections

• #9 Locked
• #1 The Wine Steward
• #3 Awesome Road
• #6 Generous Tipper

Breeders’ Futurity Wagers

• $25 exacta: 9 with 1
• $10 exacta: 9 with 3, 6
• $3 trifecta: key 9 with 1,3,6

#1 THE WINE STEWARD (8-1): Mike Maker trainee has reeled off a trio of wins to begin his career, with the last pair coming in stakes events. The $340,000 Vino Rosso colt will run long for the initial time and seems poised to handle the voyage while saving ground from the rail. Luis Saez will guide the win threat.

#2 TIMBERLAKE (7-2): Son of Into Mischief comes off of a runner-up finish in the Hopeful S. (G1) at Saratoga and will run with blinkers off on this occasion. The Kentucky-bred is cut out to love the added ground on Saturday, and regular pilot Florent Geroux will pilot the nice prospect.

#3 AWESOME ROAD (3-1): Second from the Brad Cox shedrow was a sharp debut victor at Ellis Park and will appreciate the move to two turns in this contest. The $600,000 yearling purchase has posted four solid morning drills leading up to his stakes bow, and the son of Quality Road is bred top and bottom to love a route of ground. Flavien Prat inheriting the ride is a bonus.

#4 BAYTOWN CHATTERBOX (50-1): Stakes-winning son of Street Sense was outrun in the recent Hopeful and will have to take a major step forward to make noise against this talented cast. The gelding was a winner in his lone route run to date, but he would still be a surprise with Jane Elliott in the silks. 

#5 WEST SARATOGA (20-1): Iroquois S. (G3) upsetter is 2-for-2 at one mile and figures to handle 1 1/16 miles in his second appearance at Keeneland. The bargain $11,000 yearling purchase continues to improve steadily, and another move in the right direction will have him challenging for a top-four finish at a big price.

#6 GENEROUS TIPPER (15-1): First of two from the Kenny McPeek barn comes off of a dominant maiden tally at Ellis Park and has exotics appeal in his black-type debut. The son of Street Sense has put in two good efforts on the dirt following a grassy bow, and the February foal has proven to be capable of running from on or off of the early tempo, as well. Brian Hernandez Jr. will be up.

#7 JUST STEEL (12-1): D. Wayne Lukas pupil was a smart maiden breaker at Saratoga two back, which preceded a tiring seventh in the Hopeful in his latest showing. Speedy son of Justify has the pedigree to thrive going long, and the $500,000 yearling purchase is one to consider at a price with Joel Rosario taking the reins.

#8 NORTHERN FLAME (20-1): McPeek charge led at every call in graduating at this distance beneath the Twin Spires last time out. The $425,000 son of Flameaway is moving in the right direction, but I still feel that he will need to step up in a big way to challenge the main contenders on this occasion. Julien Leparoux retains the mount.

#9 LOCKED (7-5): Todd Pletcher pupil rallied to be third in a sprint at first asking following a slow break, and he followed that up with a dynamic maiden win at one mile over the Saratoga dirt. Gun Runner colt has come home with excellent energy in each of his performances to date, and the top prospect will have no trouble enduring this distance despite drawing widest of all. Jose Ortiz will guide the top selection.