Futurity J

AMERICAN

GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

An octet of juvenile colts will travel seven-eighths on the Belmont main oval

in the $300,000 Futurity S. (G2), and the Richard Dutrow-trained D' FUNNYBONE

(D'wildcat) is clearly the one to beat. A 10 1/2-length romper in the Saratoga

Special S. (G2) last out, the chestnut has run three superb races to begin his

career and has posted a pair of useful workouts since his Saratoga breakout

race, so we can't go against him here. Edgar Prado will guide the exciting

prospect.

DISCREETLY MINE (Mineshaft) is bred to be especially fast and looked the part

in a dominant maiden victory last out for Stanley Hough. The homebred has a ton

of early speed but proved that he could finish last out, and he was flattered

when the horse he beat came back to air in a race at Belmont earlier in the

week. The colt broke from the rail yet was taken wide last out, giving the

impression to us that he doesn't like being inside, but he's buried on the fence

yet again while losing his main rider. If the Kentucky-bred takes back early, he

can complete the exacta.

THISKYHASNOLIMIT (Sky Mesa) showed speed in the Special before retreating in

his stakes debut for Steve Asmussen, but we'll give the dark bay a chance to

rebound and challenge for a placing in this event. The Kentucky-bred was not

aided by a rail draw last out and could be a bigger factor from post

7 on this occasion under Shaun Bridgmohan.

SUCCESSFUL SCORE (Successful Appeal) was a stylish winner of a Saratoga

maiden race in his first outing with blinkers and ran a big one to be second in

a similar event over this oval two back for conditioner Dale Romans. The

consistent bay gives the impression of a horse who wants more ground, but if the

speed backs up, he could easily rally for a top-three finish with Robby

Albarado.

SOUNDMAN (Songandaprayer) always shows speed but has yet to prove he's ready

for this caliber of animal for D. Wayne Lukas, so we'll let the speedy juvenile

beat us in here. INSIGHTFUL (E Dubai) was trounced when fourth in the Special, and we have no

reason to believe that the freshman can reverse that decision on this day. HEAR YE HEAR YE (Hear No Evil) registered a 101 BRIS Speed figure when

earning his diploma but has failed to top 81 in his other five tries. He'll need

his absolute best to be competitive. GRAND RAPPORT (Grand Reward) put in a huge closing rush to top maiden

claimers at first asking for Gary Contessa, but the colt will face much better

in this one.