With the Hopeful and Del Mar Futurity in the books, juveniles set sights on the Kentucky Derby right now. As it is every single year, the picture at this point is extremely fuzzy.
First, let’s take a look at how the Hopeful Stakes juveniles did in relation to a future date in the Kentucky Derby. The best laid plans often go awry and the 7-furlong Hopeful Stakes was a perfect case in point.
Classic Empire brought a perfect 2 for 2 record into the Hopeful at Saratoga, but his chances were dashed immediately. He wheeled outward at the start, tossed his rider Irad Ortiz Jr. and had to eventually be eased. His chances of getting to the Kentucky Derby are cloudy as he was exhibiting mild lameness according to the veterinarian on site.
When Classic Empire was finished, it didn’t change the complexion of the pace as the runner has limited speed. Pretty Boy Flash, the 2nd longest shot on the tote board, took up the running and went :23.80 to make the lead at the first call. Soon After 15-1 shot Pretty Copy threw his hat into the speed brigade ring and accounted for the half mile in :47.69 and he still had a half-length lead at the 6-furlong marker after 1:11.27.
Those that took a flyer on Practical Joke then started to laugh. The son of Into Mischief came under light coaxing, collared the leaders a furlong from the wire, barely put his head in front near the finish line and prevailed by a neck.
It was icing on the cake for trainer Chad Brown who nailed down the trainer title at Saratoga. Practical Joke was his 40th winner for the meeting, a record for a 40-day Saratoga season. Practical Joke had to come from 7th in his only other start, his debut win by 5 lengths, so his ability to finish is verified. The pace was relatively slow in the Hopeful but Irad’s younger brother, Jose, was aboard Practical Joke and he timed his late move to perfection.
If Practical Joke is going to make it to the Kentucky Derby, his next start could be the Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park on October 8. If all goes well there, the runner could very well hop on a plane and head to Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on November 5. Practical Joke will try to join Whirlaway, Middleground, Needles, Secretariat, Foolish Pleasure, and Affirmed as winners of the Hopeful and also winners of the Kentucky Derby.
In the Del Mar Futurity, it was a case of the rich getting richer. Bob Baffert won his 13th Del Mar Futurity with Klimt and the runner did it in special fashion. The $300,000 7-furlong Del Mar Futurity enticed 6 foes and like the Hopeful there was drama in spades.
The third choice in the race Chasing Aces took an awkward step approaching the top of the stretch, had to vanned off and had to be euthanized. The race unfolded the way it looked on paper as Straight Fire made the lead going :22.33, :44.38. He was head-and-head with Klimt at the top of the lane after 6 furlongs in 1:09.14 but could not keep strides with the winner.
Klimt, under Rafael Bejarano, increased his margin to 4 and a quarter lengths and was clocked in 1:21.80. That was the fastest Del Mar Futurity since American Pharoah went 1:21.48 2 years ago. It was also the third fastest Del Mar Futurity since 1999. Klimt earned a 94 Beyer Speed Figure. Nyquist recorded an 82 Beyer in this race last year and American Pharoah popped with a 101 Beyer.
Klimt has some big shoes to fill. Gato del Sol won the Del Mar Futurity in 1981 and parlayed that success to the Kentucky Derby. Silver Charm pulled off the same double in 1996. The 2014 and 2015 winners of the Futurity, American Pharoah and Nyquist, each also won the run for Run for the Roses.
Klimt’s sire Quality Road won several Grade 1’s routing but his dam was sprint only and the top sibling won 3 sprints and was third in his only route. Klimt cost $435,000 and his trainer thinks he’ll get the Kentucky Derby distance. Baffert is on record as saying this runner has a great mind and will sit off horses and that’s mandatory to have options in the Classics.
