American History finishes fast to win Breeders’ Futurity

American History overcame a slow start to win Saturday's $648,125 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland, rallying boldly past odds-on favorite Coach Pope and pacesetter Q B Rocket in deep stretch to score by a length.

The Todd Pletcher-trained colt punched his ticket for the Oct. 30 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Keeneland by taking the “Win & You’re In” event, and American History earned his first 10 Kentucky Derby (G1) points winning the Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifier.

John Velazquez was up on the chestnut son of Constitution. A 7 3/4-length debut winner at Saratoga, American History left the starting gate as the 5-1 third choice in his second career start and completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.88. He’s owned by WinStar Farm, First Go Racing, and China Horse Club.

Breaking from the far outside post, American History was away slowly and trailed early among six two-year-olds.

“I was not expecting my horse to break as slow as he did,” Velazquez said. “He broke slow, tipped in, tipped out. He took a little dirt going into the first turn. He took it pretty well. He jumped up and down a little bit, but all of a sudden before we got to the backstretch, he locked onto the bridle and I had to jump beside the horse in front of me and after that he was in a good cruising speed. I was very happy the way he was doing it. I was hoping the two horses in front were going fast enough that my horse could catch up.”

Q B Rocket, an impressive first-out winner at Saratoga and the 5-2 second choice, broke on top and showed the way on a short lead while being pursued closely by Coach Pope. American History gained some ground on the top duo rounding the far turn, but he saved his best for the short stretch drive, closing rapidly on the far outside to draw even and surge past late.

“My horse has one stride – kind of keeps coming, coming, and coming – and that’s the way he did it,” Velazquez said. “He’s still learning. He’s a big boy. We’re very happy things turned out the way they did.”

“I think a lot of us lost our voices cheering him home,” added Gerry Duffy, president and CEO of WinStar. “My what a finish. Two great horses out in front, and he just ran his heart out for us today and won a very important race. We’re very grateful.”

Coach Pope, a scintillating 12 1/2-length maiden winner the second-time out at Churchill Downs three weeks earlier, held second by a neck over Q B Rocket. It was nearly another dozen lengths back to Title Worth in fourth, and Jaded and Phone Booth rounded out the order.

Purchased for $625,000 as a yearling, American History counts stakes-placed Ada Claire as a half-sister. They’re out of the War Front mare Bloody Point, a half-sister to multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire and sire Vekoma, and American History was bred by Alpha Delta Stables.

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