GRIN AND BEAR IT
definition: to accept something that one does not like because there is no choice.
LOS ALAMITOS FUTURITY
LOS ALAMITOS 8.5f
1st - ARABIAN LION
DP = 3-5-8-0-0 (16) DI = 3.00 CD = 0.69
Mare Profile = 12-2-5-6-9 Speed = 14 Stamina = 15 Index = 1.07 Triads = 19-13-20
Sire: Justify Post: 5 Trainer: Baffert
Baffert will send Lion, Fort Bragg and Carmel Road out to the front. Lion will sit just off Fort Bragg. Fort Bragg will sit off of Carmel Road. They will gallop around the slick bias of Los Alamitos. Lion will pass in the stretch - whether it is by his talent or already pre-arranged - it certainly is meaningless in the whole scope of things. This horse will be in Yakteen's barn just before the Santa Anita Derby and he will win that race. He will enter the Kentucky Derby as the favorite. Does the horse make it to the Breeder's Cup Classic in November is anyone's guess. Groundhog's Day Episode #112.
2nd - FORT BRAGG
DP = 4-9-10-1-0 (24) DI = 3.00 CD = 0.67
Mare Profile = 9-5-2-9-6 Speed = 14 Stamina = 15 Index = 1.09 Triads = 16-16-17
Sire: Tapit Post: 3 Trainer: Baffert
This horse will come in second because Baffert is partial to Arabian Lion. Fort Bragg is better bred for the Derby than Lion but that certainly doesn't matter. Both have the bias locked in this prep and I'd be very surprised if the order of finish isn't already pre-arranged.
tie 3rd - CARMEL ROAD
DP = 4-14-8-0-0 (26) DI = 5.50 CD = 0.85
Mare Profile = 6-7-4-4-9 Speed = 13 Stamina = 13 Index = 0.88 Triads = 17-15-17
Sire: Quality Road Post: 2 Trainer: Baffert
This one was not suited for Keeneland in the least. Now back in California, he will take his 5.50 speedy index and I would assume that Baffert makes him the sacrificial lead in hopes that he holds the additional 1/16 for 3rd. This horse has no chance in Kentucky and most likely, Baffert already knows that. He has his other two that he would prefer to walk away with posted wins. It adds to the breeding bucks. Ex-assistant, Yakteen awaits in the wings for his marching orders. It is a true wonder how some actually take these races seriously. One trainer with 3 entries on a 5-horse field on the California bias. Cringe-worthy.
tie 3rd - PRACTICAL MOVE
DP = 1-0-1-0-0 (2) DI = 3.00 CD = 1.00
Mare Profile = 6-5-5-11-4 Speed = 11 Stamina = 15 Index = 0.92 Triads = 16-21-20
Sire: Practical Joke Post: 4 Trainer: Yakteen
Third place race between him and Carmel Road. This guy is actually better built for the 10f Derby over Baffert's 3 entries, but this race caters to extreme high speed on the lead without the need for excess 10f stamina. Yakteen doesn't care about that in the least. He knows any one of Baffert's speedsters will be his for the Derby anyway. It's all a show and obviously, the better trainers out there want no parts of the charade.
Last - TALL BOY
DP = 5-5-8-0-0 (18) DI = 3.50 CD = 0.83
Mare Profile = 13-3-0-7-9 Speed = 16 Stamina = 16 Index = 1.16 Triads = 16-10-16
Sire: Lookin at Lucky Post: 1 Trainer: Mora
Not in this race and not in the Kentucky Derby either.
Two preps this weekend and both are somewhat meaningless. One is a race between 2 horses on a 5-horse field. The other prep at Remington has zero alliance with the Kentucky Derby.
The Los Alamitos Futurity this year is a dud race with a slight profitable gamble only if you bet a straight exacta/tri. Even then, it's still a ridiculous edition. With three entries trained by Baffert and one trained by his butt buddy Yakteen, there is no justifiable reason for it.
The Futurity is basically a 2-minute commercial for Bob Baffert. I won't put to print what I really want to say about this farce of a race, nor will I convey the absurdity of it. I will try to respect the Derby process, participate in my minor way and move on from it as quickly as possible.
Not only would I never bet this race, but I won't even watch it. I'll look up Arabian Lion's name to make sure he got his 1st place trophy afterwards and add to the Prep Winners Analysis article. That's about it.
The Springboard Mile is another that I have no interest in and will not waste any time on it. It is a glorified allowance race and should be tossed as a Derby Prep race already. Nothing ever comes from it.
There are a handful of much better 2-year-old races that actually have much more meaning in relation to the Kentucky Derby. Races that should replace the Springboard for points in a prep race. Both the Futurity and the Springboard this year, simply a complete waste of time.
The Gun Runner Stakes can't get here fast enough. That race has "Derby Alliance" and will be filled with a field of real competitors. Unfortunately, the star of the show, the one that we were waiting for, will not be headlining the race anymore. The anticipation of seeing him run ends in complete disappointment.
Extra Anejo is recovering from his minor ankle surgery, and we'll see him soon in 2023.
Ironically, he is recovering in the stall right next to Epicenter. The two best built colts out there with the inability to compete. I'm sure Asmussen visits both monsters daily and we shall wait for the return of the new 3-year-old beast in a future prep. Hopefully, that prep will be the Lecomte.
One fortuitous colt in the upcoming Gun Runner Stakes certainly lucked out with Extra Anejo sitting on the sidelines. This race is very important and there will be a real prep analysis article just as soon as the probables are posted.
Have a great weekend.
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