Handicapper's Corner: 2025 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2)

 

Six-Horse Chess Match: Los Alamitos Futurity Picks N' Plays

 By: MaryJo Moncheski, ThoroFan Handicapper

Bob Baffert expects to extend his record 14-race win record in Saturday's Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) Featured as race 8 of 9, post time is 4:00 PM PT. 

Many winners used the "Los Al" as a springboard to bigger and better. The role call includes last year's hero, Journalism second in the KY Derby, Improbable (2018), who earned 2020 Champion Older Dirt Male honors, and Shared Belief,  2013 Champion 2 Year Old Colt.

 

There aren’t a whole lot of options here for the Los Alamitos Futurity. Since there are only six horses in the race, I am going to just choose a trifecta. My choices are 6-3-1.

#6 Captivator with Jockey Hector Berrios on board should see improvement going this distance. Owners Hronis Racing, Inc. and Trainer John Sadler usually don’t disappoint with the horses they race together. Captivator likes to go to the front for the early lead. While not a significant amount of time with blinkers on, I do think blinkers off can improve his chances. He faces some challenges moving up in class from restricted company, but I think he will be able to deliver.

#3 Litmus Test has the best record for this distance and speed. This horse will no doubt be the favorite. Since I am a price shopper, I put him second, also, because I have seen many Bob Baffert trained horses this year go off as the favorite and underdeliver. He is dropping in class so that improves his odds; however, I don’t like that he either can’t keep the lead or hangs, such as his last race.

#1 Acknowledgemeplz rounds out my picks today with Trainer Doug O’Neill. I really wanted to put this horse on top because I think the lay off will serve him well. Jockey Armando Ayuso has a 24% return for the Los Alamitos meet so far, too. However, my hesitation lies in never having raced this distance, class, and the post position isn’t favorable. I hope I pleasantly surprised because this horse does have comparable speed to my first two choices. If #1 can get to the front early, I do believe he has a chance to win it.

Plays:

$10 win #6

$2 exacta box 6-3-1 ($4 total) or $1 exacta box 6-3-1 ($6 total)

.50 trifecta box 6-3-1 ($3 total)