The "Future Stars Friday" card at Del Mar offers racing fans a glimpse of the next generation of Thoroughbreds and the gravity of the $2 million grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) extends beyond race day.
The past nine winners went on to take home the Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old male and the first horse across the finish line in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile also becomes the early leader on the road to next year's Kentucky Derby (G1).
There's a lot on the line in the Juvenile for these promising 2-year-olds, and this year's race drew 10 entrants headlined by undefeated graded stakes winners East Avenue, Jonathan's Way, Gaming, and Chancer McPatrick.
1. East Avenue (5-2 morning-line odds): Dominated by 5 1/4 lengths when leading from the start in the Breeders' Futurity (G1) at 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland after romping by eight lengths in his debut. His tactical speed is a big asset and he very likely will use it from the inside post. Looks like the real deal.
JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione; TRAINER: Brendan Walsh
2. Getaway Car (20-1): One of three entrants for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, the Curlin colt won a grade 3 sprinting on this track in August. He finished second most recently in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) to stablemate Citizen Bull in his first start around two turns. Should be near the front early and could also be there late ... at a nice price.
JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Bob Baffert
3. Hill Road (30-1): Will try dirt for the first time after two starts on grass, including a ninth-place finish Sept. 15 in a group 1 race in Ireland. Nothing in his pedigree suggests he can't handle a surface change but this is a salty spot to try to find out.
JOCKEY: Umberto Rispoli; TRAINER: Adrian Murray
4. Ferocious (6-1): Second as the favorite in both the Hopeful Stakes (G1) and Breeders' Futurity (G1), the latter behind morning-line favorite East Avenue. Ferocious has 5 1/4 lengths to make up on that rival here but this race might set up better for him with several speedy runners expected to vie for the lead. Worth a long look.
JOCKEY: Javier Castellano; TRAINER: Gustavo Delgado
5. Jonathan's Way (9-2): He's won his two starts by a combined margin of seven lengths and defeated 10 opponents most recently when winning the Iroquois Stakes (G3). Well-rested with seven weeks since that stakes win, this Vekoma colt looks like a major player.
JOCKEY: Joel Rosario; TRAINER: Phil Bauer
6. Citizen Bull (10-1): Rebounded from a distant third to stablemate Gaming in the Del Mar Futurity (G1) with a front-running, two-length win in the American Pharoah Stakes Oct. 5. Won't be unchallenged on the lead here but is a legitimate threat to give Baffert his record-setting sixth win in this race.
JOCKEY: Martin Garcia; TRAINER: Bob Baffert
7. Gaming (8-1): Will stretch out around two turns here for the first time after a dominant front-running debut win followed by an off-the-pace victory by 1 3/4 lengths in the Del Mar Futurity. Part of a strong Baffert trio and arguably the entrant with the most upside, but speed figures indicate he needs to take a step forward to win.
JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.; TRAINER: Bob Baffert
8. Shin Believe (10-1): One of two Japanese entrants in the field that shipped in for the race for trainer Hideyuki Mori, Kentucky-bred Shin Believe enters off a five-length runaway in his career debut at 1 1/8 miles Aug. 3. This is a tall task for his second start, but the jockey-trainer tandem is top notch and the distance should be no problem.
JOCKEY: Yutaka Take; TRAINER: Hideyuki Mori
9. Ecoro Azel (30-1): Won his debut sprinting in Japan for trainer Hideyuki Mori before closing to finish fifth of 10 in his second start at seven furlongs. Jockey Yutaka Take chose to ride Kentucky-bred stablemate Shin Believe over this one, and I'll trust his judgement.
JOCKEY: Akira Sugawara; TRAINER: Hideyuki Mori
10. Chancer McPatrick (3-1): Seems to get better and better with every start and his 2 3/4-length victory in the Champagne Stakes (G1) in final prep was super-impressive. Deep closer would benefit from a strong, contested pace and could get it. Chance he's the best of a talented bunch.
JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Chad Brown
THE PICK: East Avenue
LIVE LONGSHOT: Getaway Car
SUPERFECTA: 1-2-10-4
