Tipsheet: The 2021 Breeders' Futurity

A baker’s dozen of juveniles will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Keeneland main course in Saturday’s $500,000 Breeders’ Futurity S. (G1). The lucrative race for two-year-olds will reward the winner with an entry into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar on November 5. In addition, the top-four finishers will also earn points on the 2022 Road to the Kentucky Derby challenge series on a 10-4-2-1 basis.

Breeders’ Futurity Picks

• #9 Great Escape
• #13 Classic Causeway
• #6 Rattle N Roll
• #11 Costa Terra
• #5 Don’t Wait Up

Breeders’ Futurity Wagers

• $20 win and place 9
• $2 exacta key box 9 with 5, 6, 11, 13
• $1 trifecta key 9 with 5, 6, 11, 13

Breeders’ Futurity Contenders

#1 DOUBLE THUNDER earned his first stakes win to date with a late score in the Sapling S. at Monmouth last time out. The Super Saver colt gets a cozy rail draw and has improved with each lifetime try to date. Paco Lopez retains the mount.

#2 MR. BOUMA graduated second time out with a stubborn tally at Ellis Park. The Dale Romans trainee has prepared well in the interim, and the expensive son of Candy Ride figures to be in the mix from the outset under Corey Lanerie.

#3 STELLAR TAP is one of two major contenders for Steve Asmussen. The son of Tapit was three lengths back in the Iroquois S. (G3) at Churchill Downs last time out, and he could surely be a late contender with expected improvement while making his local debut.

#4 SEAL BEACH is still a maiden following a trio of lifetime tries to date for Mike Maker, but the bay has top-three appeal in this spot. The son of Midshipman was a clear runner-up to the top selection most recently, and he will appreciate the added distance on Saturday. Julien Leparoux will be in the silks.

#5 DON’T WAIT UP just missed on debut prior to securing a fine win at Saratoga in his second showing. The Tony Dutrow pupil could be any kind going forward, and his pair of recent morning bullet works hints that he will be ready to roll under John Velazquez.

#6 RATTLE N ROLL is a one-run closer who drew off at Churchill Downs for Ken McPeek. The $210,000 son of Connect will need to keep pace in the early going, but if he does, then the chestnut will be a major factor late with Brian Hernandez in the stirrups.

#7 AMERICAN SANCTUARY has finished second-best in a pair of stakes races in succession for trainer Chris Davis. The bay colt by American Freedom looked good in his initial route try, and he could be dangerous with another move forward on Saturday. Sophie Doyle has the call.

#8 KING CURLIN finished second in a turf run at Kentucky Downs on debut and is a wildcard on the dirt. The bargain $25,000 purchase would be a surprise if he won on Saturday.

#9 GREAT ESCAPE gets the nod following two solid races to start his career for Rodolphe Brisset. The $200,000 yearling purchase has earned strong Brisnet Late Pace numbers in both career performances to date, and I think that the colt will thrive going long. Tyler Gaffalione will guide the son of Midnight Storm.

#10 MAC’S TIME improved in a big way when driving home to victory at Ellis Park in his second performance. The Romans trainee will need further improvement to have a say in the outcome on this occasion, however. Joe Talamo will guide the Not This Time colt.

#11 COSTA TERRA won at first asking and rallied to be a close third in the Juvenile S. at Ellis most recently. The Asmussen youngster is bred for the distance, and I think that the homebred has win appeal with Francisco Arrieta riding.

#12 KEVIN’S FOLLY rallied to a first-out win at Saratoga prior to finishing a distant third in the Hopeful S. (G1). The Tom Amoss charge has posted three solid morning drills in the interim, and he could surely grab a share with a forward move in his Keeneland bow.

#13 CLASSIC CAUSEWAY led at every call in a commanding debut romp at Saratoga for trainer Brian Lynch. The chestnut son of Giant’s Causeway is cut out to run long, and if he can overcome the widest post, then the February foal will be a huge threat inside the final furlong with Jose Ortiz keeping the mount.