The road to the Kentucky Derby is heating up, and this weekend’s Los Alamitos Futurity promises an exciting showdown. The Grade 2, $200,000 race at Los Alamitos features a small but competitive field of five 2-year-olds, including three entries from Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert. Let’s take a closer look at what’s at stake and the horses competing for Derby qualifying points.
What Is the Los Alamitos Futurity?
The Los Alamitos Futurity is a key prep race for the Kentucky Derby, offering Derby points to the top five finishers. The race covers 1 1/16 miles and serves as a stepping stone for promising 2-year-olds aiming to make their mark in the next year’s Triple Crown races. This year’s edition will run on Saturday at 7 p.m. EST during the December meet at Los Alamitos.
Bob Baffert’s Dominance
Trainer Bob Baffert has a remarkable track record in the Los Alamitos Futurity, claiming victory eight times in the past 10 years. This year, he brings a strong lineup:
Gaming
- Pedigree: Son of Game Winner
- Record: 2 wins in 3 starts, including the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity
- Career Earnings: $565,000
- Key Races: Runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
- Jockey: Flavien Prat
- Post Position: 1
Gaming stands out as the most accomplished in the field, with two Grade 1 starts under his belt and a stellar pedigree.
Getaway Car
- Pedigree: Son of Curlin
- Record: 2 wins in 5 starts
- Career Earnings: $313,000
- Key Races: Fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile
- Jockey: Juan Hernández
- Post Position: 2
Getaway Car has shown flashes of brilliance but will need a standout performance to secure his first win since July.
Mellencamp
- Pedigree: Son of Constitution
- Record: 0 wins in 2 starts
- Career Earnings: $14,040
- Key Races: Fourth at Del Mar last month
- Jockey: Kazushi Kimura
- Post Position: 3
While Mellencamp remains a maiden, Baffert’s confidence in the colt suggests untapped potential.
Other Contenders to Watch
Two horses trained by different teams aim to upset Baffert’s trio:
Journalism
- Trainer: Michael McCarthy
- Pedigree: Son of Curlin
- Record: 1 win in 2 starts
- Career Earnings: $38,880
- Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
- Post Position: 5
After breaking his maiden at Del Mar, Journalism could be a wildcard in this field.
Rank
- Trainer: Doug O’Neill
- Pedigree: Son of Honor A.P.
- Record: 0 wins in 5 starts
- Career Earnings: $41,600
- Jockey: Antonio Fresu
- Post Position: 4
Though still seeking his first win, Rank has shown steady improvement and could surprise with a strong finish.
The Stakes and Derby Points
The Los Alamitos Futurity offers 10-5-3-2-1 Kentucky Derby points to the top five finishers. However, this year’s short field means fewer competitors battling for those valuable points. While the Derby rules will limit points for short fields in later prep races, Saturday’s event remains a critical opportunity for these young horses to prove themselves.
Conclusion
The 2024 Los Alamitos Futurity sets the stage for rising stars on the road to the Kentucky Derby. With three promising colts from Bob Baffert and two strong challengers, the race is a must-watch for fans of horse racing. Whether it’s Gaming, Getaway Car, or an underdog like Journalism, Saturday’s race will shape the Derby landscape and showcase the future of the sport. Don’t miss it!
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