Annual Report wins Futurity going away

Godolphin Racing’s Annual Report rallied to the lead in midstretch and drew off to a 1 ½-length decision in Saturday’s $200,000 Futurity (G2) at Belmont Park. A 5 ¼-length debut winner at Parx on September 20, the Kiaran McLaughlin-trained juvenile colt improved to two for two and completed six furlongs in 1:09.82 with Joe Bravo.

Manhattan Dan flashed to the front at the break, establishing fractions in :22.24 and :45.22 while clear. Annual Report trailed early in the six-horse field, seven lengths back after the opening quarter-mile, and was asked for more rounding the far turn.

Annual Report responded to the urgings of Bravo and despite racing greenly in upper stretch, the bay Kentucky-bred was clearly going best off all as the 7-1 fifth choice, striking the front with about a furlong remaining. King Kranz, the 8-5 favorite, closed well for second while no threat to the winner.

It was another 4 ½ length back to Manhattan Dan in third. Ready Dancer, Full Salute and Legend Keeper completed the order of finish.

From the next-to-last crop of sire Harlan’s Holiday, Annual Report was purchased for $600,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Florida March 2-year-old sale. He’s out of the Seeking the Gold mare Pension and counts Grade 1 winner Furlough as his second maternal dam.

Annual Report was bred by Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd and has now earned $170,400.

Futurity Quotes:

Kiaran McLaughlin, winning trainer of Annual Report: "He got squeezed and dropped back but once he got going he was very impressive. That was a nice win. It ended up an excellent race because he went to the lead at Parx (but today) he took the dirt well and finished strong. We'll probably stretch him out before too long. I loved the way he moved through the turn."

Joe Bravo, winning jockey aboard Annual Report (No. 2): "I was very confident today. He won his last race by five lengths so easily; he had his ears up and it was just a morning gallop. There were some nice horses in the Futurity, but when he switched leads he leveled off so nicely. I think he's going to step up every race with maturity.

"I tried to send him away there in the first couple jumps. It was not my intention to be that far back but it just got a little tight down the backside. He was really comfortable and going good, and by the three-eighths pole he started getting to them and getting to them. He really hit his stride."

Jimmy Bell, racing manager of Godolphin Stable winning owner of Annual Report: "We sent him down to Parx for the experience and he didn't do anything wrong down there. A little bit of the unknown when you go out of town then come back here for the race which probably was reflected in the odds but he's a runner. He was very professional when he went about his business, we're very excited and (have) a lot to look forward to. That was a genuinely good effort and finish, looked like he had a little more hitting the wire and (we are) very excited to see what's in store for him."

Annual Report photo courtesy of Adam Coglianese Photography