Tipsheet: 2024 Breeders’ Futurity

A talented field of 11 juveniles will run 1 1/16 miles on the Keeneland dirt in Saturday’s $600,000 Breeders’ Futurity (G1). The "Win and You’re In" contest will reward the victor with an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar on Nov. 1. 

Breeders’ Futurity Picks

• #1 Ferocious
• #5 East Avenue
• #9 Tenacious Leader
• #8 Big Boat

Breeders’ Futurity Wagers

• $20 win and place #1 Ferocious
• $5 exacta 1 with 5,8,9 
• 50-cent trifecta 1 with 5,8,9 with all 

Breeders’ Futurity Contenders

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#1 FEROCIOUS – Precocious son of Flatter was a dominant debut winner at Saratoga and followed that up with a fine runner-up effort in the Hopeful S. (G1). The $1.3 million juvenile purchase is well drawn on the rail and comes in with a bullet five-eighths on the Oklahoma training oval in his most recent morning spin. Flatter colt gets top billing with Luis Saez in the controls. 

#2 SARATOGA CRUISER – Chestnut son of Catalina Cruiser went last-to-first in a maiden run at Indiana but faces a tall task on the major class rise for Jeff Engler. The gelding would be a surprise against this group with Deshawn Parker in the silks. 

#3 OPTICAL – City of Light colt ran a lifetime best when cruising home a 14-length winner over maiden foes beneath the Twin Spires in his dirt route debut most recently. The Keith Desormeaux charge came home swiftly in that victory, and he is one to consider at a price with James Graham retaining the ride. 

#4 HANDSOME PANTS – Dark bay son of Daredevil rallied to a smart score in a two-turn race at first asking and has the look of a nice prospect going forward. The $140,000 purchase showed a fine turn of foot in his tally, and a forward move will make him a top-three contender for Kenny McPeek. Brian Hernandez Jr. stays in the silks. 

#5 EAST AVENUE – Brendan Walsh second-timer was well backed at first asking and delivered when leading at every call en route to a powerful sprint score at Ellis Park. The Godolphin homebred is cut out to be a good one, and the son of Medaglia d’Oro is on the short list of major players in this spot with Tyler Gaffalione inheriting the mount. 

#6 FILOSO – $210,000 yearling purchase cruised home to a strong maiden triumph at Saratoga in his second appearance and will be an exotics contender with a forward move on Saturday. Chad Summers charge picks up John Velazquez, and the City of Light colt will be doing his best work from off the pace at a fair number. 

#7 MESERO – Iroquois S. (G3) fourth ran into a fine top two in his second lifetime try but faces an even deeper field on this occasion. The Not This Time colt will be making one run from off the early tempo with Corey Lanerie in the stirrups. 

#8 BIG BOAT – $460,000 son of Nyquist was professional in rallying from behind runners and pulling away late in a decisive score for trainer Jimmy DiVito. The April foal is cut out to handle the added distance in his local bow, and I think that he will give a fine account of himself with Cristian Torres retaining the ride. 

#9 TENACIOUS LEADER – Todd Pletcher pupil broke his maiden on the dirt at Saratoga two back, prior to finishing second by a neck in the grassy With Anticipation S. (G3) last time out. Talented March foal has posted a pair of solid half-mile drills in the interim, and I expect him to be forwardly placed early with Florent Geroux picking up the ride. 

#10 DAPPER MOON – Dallas Stewart trainee showed big improvement in his second lifetime run when drawing clear in the lane against maidens at Saratoga in his latest endeavor. The son of Malibu Moon has displayed a good turn of foot in both career outings and seems likely to handle the transition to two turns on Saturday. 

#11 READY FOR PEACE – Wild card in the cast has raced on the lawn in both career tries and could be any kind on the dirt. Ignacio Correas pupil keeps Jose Ortiz in the irons and will be coming from off the pace against this crew at a big price.