Meet the Contenders: 2024 Breeders' Futurity Stakes
Handsome Pants winning his debut at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
Meet the horses running in the 2024 Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland. For each horse, we're listing a pro, a con, and a rating of potential. The star rating of 1 to 5 represents opportunity to perform well. Be sure to follow these contenders by adding them to your stable alerts.
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Ferocious (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#1 Ferocious ****
Pro: Made late rally in Hopeful (G1) after looking beaten early in stretch.
Con: Latest run and slow start in debut suggests he still has some maturity issues.
Saratoga Cruiser wins at Horseshoe Indianapolis (Photo by Coady Media)
#2 Saratoga Cruiser *
Pro: Along in time to graduate after conceding nine lengths early.
Con: Faces a much stronger class of horse here than at Indianapolis.
Optical wins at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
#3 Optical *
Pro: Romped by 14 lengths, albeit against suspect auction maiden field.
Con: More exposed than most of these needing four starts to graduate.
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Handsome Pants winning his debut at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
#4 Handsome Pants ****
Pro: Off-the-pace winner first out over this distance for Derby-winning connections.
Con: Backers got a nice price last time (10-1); odds figure to be notably shorter here.
East Avenue wins at Ellis Park (Photo by Coady Media)
#5 East Avenue ***
Pro: Won easily first out at Ellis; one of a few on paper with early foot.
Con: Got away with setting a moderate tempo first out; possibly difficult to replicate.
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Filoso wins at Saratoga. (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Susie Raisher
#6 Filoso ***
Pro: Took big step forward second out to win convincingly; better still to come.
Con: Has encountered trouble both starts and will need to work out a clean trip.
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Messero wins at Ellis Park (Photo by Coady Media)
#7 Mesero **
Pro: Hails from barn that has won this race four times.
Con: Made little impact in stakes debut at Churchill; this a tougher spot.
Big Boat wins at Churchill Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
#8 Big Boat ***
Pro: Won stylishly for barn that can get them ready first out; sire won this race.
Con: Unlikely to see as fast a pace in this longer test.
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Tenacious Leader wins at Saratoga (Photo by Coglianese Photography / Credit to Susie Raisher)
#9 Tenacious Leader ****
Pro: Handles all surfaces and just missed to next-out Pilgrim (G2) winner.
Con: Connections have focused less on dirt with him, and Ortiz stays in NY to ride.
Dapper Moon wins at Saratoga (Photo by Coglianese Photos)
#10 Dapper Moon ***
Pro: Produced big Saratoga maiden win after finishing second best on debut.
Con: Jump from maiden to stakes is significant and wide draw no bargain.
Ready for Peace wins at Colonial Downs (Photo by Coady Media)
#11 Ready for Peace **
Pro: Form hard to knock so far, including third in Kentucky Downs stakes.
Con: Tough spot in which to try dirt for the first time.
