It might feel like a long way to the first Saturday in May.
It might feel like a long way to the first Saturday in May. 140 days, by most measures, is quite a few.
The Kentucky Derby 152 trail - the official one at least - kicks off in September in a race called the Iroquois at a place called Churchill Downs. Horses can then run in races around the world in an attempt to qualify for the upcoming run for the roses.
The Los Alamitos Futurity is one such race. It’ll be contested today in Cypress over the Los Al dirt track. It began its life as the Hollywood Futurity in 1981, run at the now defunct Hollywood Park. Six starters out of the Futurity have won the Kentucky Derby, with Giacomo in 2005 being the most recent example. Last year’s winner, Journalism, won the Preakness and Haskell in 2025.
An interesting field of 6 will head to the gate for this year’s edition. The race’s winningest trainer, Bob Baffert, enters half the runners. Let’s meet them all, put together our weekly wager. If you’re wagering on the races in Southern California, check out our partners at AmWager! They’ve got a 100% deposit match up to $150 for new customers. Check them out today!
Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity. 1 1/16M, dirt. 2-year-olds. $200,000.
1. Acknoledgemeplz. 7/2. Jockey: Armando Ayuso. Trainer: Doug O’Neill.
Acknoledgemeplz is coming out of an impressive maiden breaking win, getting the lead and keeping it against fellow entrant Blacksmith. He’s sired by Bucchero, amongst the greatest Indiana-breds of all time. Bucchero’s best efforts came sprinting, so the stretch-out to 8 ½ furlongs is a legitimate question. On the dam side, he’s also sprint-heavy; I think this might be a little too much.
Comment: don’t like the added distance.
2. Provenance. 5/1. Jockey: Kyle Frey. Trainer: Bob Baffert.
Trainer Bob Baffert debuted Provenance at a mile, a less-than-majority move by the trainer. After a decent 3rd in that race to stakes winner Intrepido, Baffert moved him to a sprinting distance. He won that day in September at Santa Anita, and has been following a Baffert training schedule that his best young trainees follow: a mix of 5- and 6-furlong works, designed to add stamina to young horses. He’s royally bred, and the connections make sense; I think he’ll be better in the spring.
Comment: reluctant toss.
3. Litmus Test. 4/5. Jockey: Juan Hernandez. Trainer: Bob Baffert.
Litmus Test is a worthy favorite, having run a good 4th in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last out. He finished a neck behind Brant, which many consider Baffert’s best young trainee. Jockey Juan Hernandez is assigned to ride him instead of Provenance or Blacksmith; cues point to Litmus Test.
Comment: worthy favorite.
4. Blacksmith. 5/1. Jockey: Kazushi Kimura. Trainer: Bob Baffert.
Blacksmith comes in without a win, his best performance a 2nd-place finish on debut. He ran a few weeks ago to no avail at Del Mar, and one has to wonder if he’s in this race to make sure it goes. While the breeding and connections make all the sense in the world, expect him to do his best running as he gets older.
Comment: toss.
5. American King. 30/1. Jockey: Geovanni Franco. Trainer: Ruben Gomez.
American King is likewise still a maiden, his best finish a 4th on the turf at Del Mar. That was going a mile, and turf runners tend to do well at Los Al; this is still a tall task.
Comment: first toss.
6. Captivator. 6/1. Jockey: Hector Berrios. Trainer: John Sadler.
I’m fascinated by Captivator, a son of Charlatan and maiden-breaker last out. He won by over 10 lengths last out in a sprint, but the company left a lot to be desired. I think trainer John Sadler’s tactics will be simple: be part of the early speed, and find out if you can hang. Sadler’s sprint-to-route numbers are spectacular, and I expect Captivator to be part of the trifecta.
Comment: will hit the board.
The Sporting Tribune Wagers:
$1 Trifecta ($6): 3 over 1,6 over 1,2,6.
$3 Late Pick 3, starts race 7 ($36): 1,4,5,7 / 3 / 6,9,11.
Category: General Sports
