CashCall Futurity J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

Saturday's $750,000 CashCall Futurity (G1), better known as the Hollywood

Futurity, attracted a field of 12 colts and geldings, and in all likelihood the

1 1/16-mile affair will come down to tactics. Given the frequency of the main

track's tilt toward early speed, it would not surprise us if someone, say

VENTANA (Toccet), shakes loose and hides from the rest. But looking over the

race more, we can't help but think the fractions will be lively and the better

among this dozen will be those stalking or closing from the back.

CHOCOLATE CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]), like his sire, has gotten better the

longer he goes, and with back-to-back two-turn victories he's our choice to

scoop up the laurels. He earned solid Late Pace figures of 106 and 107 in both

his maiden score and the Real Quiet S., and his worktab since the latter win has

been very good. The game of musical jockeys continue, with Rafael Bejarano

returning after a two-race absence, but he handled this colt well in a race at

Del Mar over the summer.

PIONEEROF THE NILE (Empire Maker) endured an even midpack trip after minor

early trouble in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), and figures to make a late

impact if he doesn't fall too far off the pace. His uncoupled stablemate from

the Bob Baffert barn, Ventana, should set things up for both him and other

closers we prefer.

J P JAMMER (Old Topper), second to Chocolate Candy in the Real Quiet, showed

rare speed that day, but is more likely to revert to a stalking position here.

His loss two back in the California Cup Juvenile raises class concerns, but he

broke from post 13 that day and was wide around both turns in a decent effort.

Because this will be run on Cushion Track, this race has naturally attracted

a fair share of juveniles that have been running on turf. MR. ROD (Scrimshaw),

BITTEL ROAD (Stormy Atlantic) and HYPE (More Than Ready) finished in that order

in the Generous S. (G3) on grass last month, and of those we prefer Hype to

relish the synthetic surface more and to improve on his stakes debut in the

Generous. There is plenty to like about Bittel Road from a class perspective and

a strong effort by him would be no surprise. Mr. Rod might find himself

too close to a quick pace.

AZUL LEON (Lion Heart), the early season leader among the freshman colts in

California, seems more effective as closing sprinter. His two route attempts

left much to be desired. I WANT REVENGE (Stephen Got Even) is an interesting

longshot given he won at first asking around two turns and has the pedigree to

improve even more. His lack of experience outside the maiden ranks troubles us,

though. English invader AXEL FOLEY (Officer) is certainly the unknown quantity

of this field, and we're willing to let him foil us at a price.

It's no secret that Baffert intends on having Ventana sent from the start, so

we question whether he'll be around at the end after he deals with Golden Gate

invader FRUMIOUS (Grindstone), who is well known for setting fast splits. MARK S

THE COOLER (Johar), who breaks on the far outside, was seventh in the Real Quiet

and would be better suited trying to graduate against maiden company.