J P's Gusto runs away with Del Mar Futurity

It was another 3 1/4 lengths back

to Riveting Reason (Fusaichi Pegasus) and Indian Winter (Indian Charlie), who

dead-heated for third. Riveting Reason gave back $4.60 at 18-1 while 6-1 third

choice Indian Winter returned $2.40. The $1 trifecta including Riveting Reason

totaled $99, while Indian Winter's $1 trifecta brought $56.70. The 4-1-2-8

superfecta ($1) paid $469, while the 4-1-8-2 superfecta ($1) grossed $366.50.

Western Mood (West Acre), Comma to the Top, Just Imagine (Unbridled's Song),

Road Ready (More Than Ready), McKenzies Way (Wildcat Heir), Major Art (GB)

(Compton Place) and Gahnzo Bob (Dehere) finished order under the wire.

J P's Gusto began his current four-race win streak following an awkward sixth

in his maiden debut. He came back in the Willard L. Proctor Memorial S. and

earned his first career score by 4 1/2 lengths, then took on his first major

test when gutting out the neck victory in the Hollywood Juvenile Championship S.

(G3). J P's Gusto showed up in Del Mar's Best Pal S. (G2) next, and he led all

the way home to triumph by a half-length. With this, his first Grade 1 win, the

juvenile now boasts a 5-4-0-0 career line and nearly doubled his earnings here

to $337,360.

"This was his best effort," Hofmans said. "I think the mile

and a sixteenth (of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile [G1]) is within his reach, mainly

because of his attitude. He's very smart and he waits for the rider to give him

his cues. When I saw him inside on the turn and his ears were up, I was pretty

comfortable. It was obvious he was waiting for Patrick (Valenzuela) to give him

his cue. The more I train him, the more I think he'll go on. He's very smart,

probably smarter than me."

Bred by WinStar Farm in Kentucky, J P's Gusto was sold for $52,000 as a

yearling at Keeneland September. He is a full brother to Magic Appeal, the

third-place finisher in last year's Adirondack S. (G2), and a half-brother to

the stakes-placed Kid Majic (Lemon Drop Kid). They are all out of the multiple

stakes winner Call Her Magic (Caller I. D.), who is a half-sister to the winning

Pacific Spell (Langfuhr), the dam of 2008 champion three-year-old filly Proud

Spell (Proud Citizen). This is also the family of Grade 1 winner Imaginary Lady

(Marfa).