Tipsheet: 2024 Los Alamitos Futurity

A compact field of five juveniles will run 1 1/16 miles in Saturday’s $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2). The 2025 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series contest will reward the five finishers with qualifying points on a 10-5-3-2-1 structure. 

Los Alamitos Futurity Picks

• #3 Getaway Car
• #1 Gaming
• #5 Journalism

Los Alamitos Futurity Wager

• $10 trifecta 1,3 with 1,3,5 with 1,3,5

Los Alamitos Futurity Contenders

#1 GAMING: The first of three from the Baffert barn has done little wrong from a trio of races to date. This Game Winner colt won the Del Mar Futurity (G1) two back which preceded a fine runner-up showing in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita last time out. The deserving favorite will be prominent throughout with Flavien Prat taking the reins. 

#2 MELLENCAMP: Constitution colt has run a pair of solid races with maidens and takes the big class rise for Baffert. The $775,000 yearling purchase shows a pair of swift morning drills in advance of his graded bow, and I envision this one going for the lead from the break. Kazushi Kimura has the assignment. 

#3 GETAWAY CAR: Top pick is the third Baffert pupil in the field and he will aim to cap a strong two-year-old season in this endeavor. This dark bay son of Curlin was a clear runner-up in the American Pharoah S. (G1) two back, and the Kentucky-bred just missed third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) in his second route race. The January foal has improved with the added distance as of late, and I expect him to force the pace from second prior to taking command in the lane. Regular rider Juan Hernandez will be in the stirrups. 

#4 RANK: Improving son of Honor A. P. has come home clear in second in both route races to date and the maiden jumps into the graded ranks for Doug O’Neill. The Kentucky-bred is moving in the right direction and could grab a minor award with another forward move against this cast. Antonio Fresu will be in the irons. 

#5 JOURNALISM: Mike McCarthy charge exits a strong maiden win at Del Mar in his first route attempt and looks like a nice prospect going forward. The $825,000 son of Curlin is bred to run long and continues to train well this campaign. The February foal has the best chance to upset the top duo with go-to pilot Umberto Rispoli taking the reins.