Baffert well-represented in Futurity with Mor Spirit & Toews on Ice

Whether known as the Hollywood Futurity, CashCall Futurity or Los Alamitos Futurity, Bob Baffert has been a significant factor in the final Grade 1 juvenile stakes of the year, winning the 1 1/16-mile race a record seven times since its inception in 1981. The Hall of Fame trainer captured last year’s edition with Dortmund and returns to Los Alamitos Saturday with the well-regarded duo of Mor Spirit and Toews on Ice.

Runner-up in his debut at 6 ½ furlongs, Mor Spirit dazzled when stretching out two turns in his next start, rolling to a 4 ¼-length decision at Santa Anita on October 23. Based on the maiden special weight performance, the dark bay was favored in the November 28 Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill Downs and checked in a good second after prompting the pace from the start.

Gary Stevens, who was up for the first two starts, regains the mount.

Toews on Ice is the main rival. Unlike Mor Spirit, who is bred for longer distances as a son of Eskendreya and out of a Dixie Union mare, Toews on Ice possesses more speed in his pedigree and has flourished at sprint distances so far. The Archarcharch colt extended his three-race win streak to three last time, posting a smart 1 ¼-length tally as the 4-5 chalk in the November 14 Bob Hope (G3) at seven furlongs, and he’ll attempt to carry his speed two turns with regular rider Martin Garcia.

Hollywood Don finished third to presumptive 2-year-old champion Nyquist in the FrontRunner (G1) two starts back and the Tapit colt will switch back to the main track following a ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1). Victor Espinoza rides the Peter Miller trainee.  Frank Conversation also moves turf to dirt following a third in the November 29 Cecil De Mille (G3).

Sorryaboutnothing will step up to face winners after breaking his maiden via disqualification on November 15. Urlacher, who was demoted to second after edging Sorryaboutnothing by a neck last time, is also entered. I’malreadythere, who will need to find form off a well-beaten third in the Bob Hope, rounds out the seven-horse field.

Toews on Ice photo courtesy of Benoit Photo