Handicappers Corner: CashCall Futurity (G1)

Easy Money in the CashCall Futurity

By: Laurie Ross, IMTBreds

The CashCall Futurity is the last Grade One race of the year held for two-year-old colts, and is a 2018 Kentucky Derby qualifier.  Since the race’s inception in 1981, 16 colts who hit the board in the Futurity have also run in the money in at least one of the Triple Crown races.  Six won the Kentucky Derby and three each the Preakness and Belmont Stakes.  2014’s Los Futurity hero Dortmund finished third in the 2015 Kentucky Derby.

In previous years, the Los Alamitos Futurity drew very strong fields. The late, great Shared Belief kept his win streak intact in ’13, and 2014 Dortmund rallied for an edge of your seat performance. 

Brilliance is the name of the game for this year’s select field of five contenders. Four have won a race by three or more lengths. The fourth, Solomini, was second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

Easy Money

The well-regarded McKinzie galloped to a 5 1/2 debut victory at Santa Anita, getting his final quarter in 24.62 and his last furlong in 12.84. His final time for seven furlongs was 1:22.70. He showed plenty of ability in his final breeze and looked good, taking aim at a rival and closing ground. He appeared ready to take another step forward.

Could Cash In

Runaway Ghost has done just that in his last two starts, beating rivals by a combined 9 1/4 lengths. The son of Ghostzapper has speed and isn’t afraid to use it, but he’ll have to navigate an extra 2 1/2 furlongs.

Solomini is the class of the field, with a major caveat. The lightly raced son of Curlin is still figuring things out. During his races and breezes, he’s getting by on natural talent but doesn’t show the inclination to pass other horses. He was out-worked in his final two breezes by two unraced stablemates.

Speculators

Instilled Regard captured his third start by 4 1/4 lengths at Santa Anita, but the son of Arch traveled 1 1/16 miles in a pokey 1:45.76, getting his final quarter in 25.31, and his final 1/16 in 6.44. Instilled Regard has breezed strongly, but regular jock Mike Smith, who piloted the colt in all three starts, sticks with McKinzie.

For Him won a $50K maiden claimer at a mile over the Del Mar dirt in his third start. He followed up with a fourth-place finish in the Zuma Beach Stakes over the Santa Anita turf. The son of hot new sire Violence has shown the ability to lead or press the pace, but his late pace speed figures are poor. He recorded three sharp pre-race three-furlong breezes, but the distance and competition may prove too much.

Selections

Unless the post-time longshot surprises, the payouts won’t be worth the bet.

#5 MCKINZIE (6-5)

#4 RUNAWAY GHOST (8-1)

#3 SOLOMINI (7-5)

 

Handicapper's Corner: Who Will Win the 2017 Belmont Stakes?

Who Will Capture the Belmont Stakes?

Cloud Computing was the surprise winner of the Preakness Stakes. While none of the ThoroFan Handicappers had him on top, two, Chairman Michael Amo and Reinier Macatangay picked Cloud Computing as their long shot Preakness bomb. Dylan Jarmulowicz liked Cloud Computing for second place, while Nick Costa and Michael Mills had Cloud Computing in the show spot. 

Rounding the final turn of the Triple Crown Series, ThoroFan Handicappers resolutely faced the Test of Champions while making their selections for the 2017 Belmont Stakes.

Picks are for first through third place and our best longshot bomb. 

Good Luck to everyone!

HANDICAPPER	FIRST	SECOND	THIRD	LONGSHOT
Michael Amo	Gormley	Irish War Cry	Tapwrit	J Boys Echo
John Caro	Patch	Tapwrit	Lookin at Lee	Senior Investment
Nick Costa	Twisted Tom	Tapwrit	Irish War Cry	Gormley
Reinier Macatangay	Meantime	Tapwrit	Gormley	J Boys Echo
Robert Marks	Irish War Cry	Epicharis	Lookin at Lee	Hollywood Handsome
Michael Mills	Tapwrit	Lookin at Lee	Multiplier	Twisted Tom
Nicolle Neulist	Irish War Cry	Patch	Gormley	Twisted Tom
Laurie Ross	Tapwrit	Irish War Cry	Lookin at Lee	Twisted Tom

Michael Amo comments, “The Belmont Stakes requires a tactical ride and stalking running style. With Classic Empire out of the race, Gormley ridden by Victor Espinoza inherits these winning characteristics. Gormley is rounding back into form and has the right stalking style. Victor Espinoza has the right experience.”

Reinier Macatangay observes, “The Belmont pace will be moderate because of Classic Empire's defection. Meantime should take advantage and be in a good, upfront position.

As for Tapwrit, the sire Tapit is hot in the Belmont S. winning 2 out of the last 3 editions.

Gormley faced a wide trip in the Kentucky Derby.”

Handicapper's Corner: Who Will Win the 2017 Preakness Stakes?

Who Will Win the 2017 Preakness Stakes?

Congratulations to Reinier Macatangay for picking Always Dreaming on top in the Kentucky Derby.

The collective minds of the ThoroFan Handicappers take their best shot at the 2017 Preakness. Picks are for first through third place and their best longshot bomb. Only two handicappers think Always Dreaming can do it again, while many feel that Classic Empire will rebound.

Good Luck to everyone and Get Your Preak On!

HANDICAPPER	FIRST	SECOND	THIRD	LONGSHOT
Michael Amo	Lookin at Lee	Classic Empire	Conquest Mo Money	Cloud Computing
John Caro	Always Dreaming	Multiplier	Classic Empire	Conquest Mo Money
Nick Costa	Classic Empire	Always Dreaming	Cloud Computing	Hence
Dylan Jarmulowicz	Classic Empire	Cloud Computing	Always Dreaming	Conquest Mo Money
Reinier Macatangay	Classic Empire	Conquest Mo Money	Always Dreaming	Cloud Computing
Robert Marks	Classic Empire	Always Dreaming	Gunnevera	Multiplier
Michael Mills	Classic Empire	Always Dreaming	Cloud Computing	Multiplier
Nicolle Neulist	Conquest Mo Money	Always Dreaming	Classic Empire	Multiplier
Laurie Ross	Always Dreaming	Lookin at Lee	Classic Empire	Multiplier