Bluegrass Derby Fever Began With Epic Movieland Futurity (G1) Teaser Trailer

LOS ANGELES –

Champion-to-be Deadmoney Cadet had earned a winter off.  After running second in the G3 Darling-Squash Futurity and third in the G1 End of the Line Futurity in Kentucky, he unleashed a top class move in upper stretch to power home in front in the G1 Breeders’ Bowl Juvenile in Kentucky.  He’d danced major dances and won the biggest prize of them all. 

But the allure of the G1 Movieland Futurity was enough for Deadmoney Cadet’s connections to consider a half measure – the More Than Ready colt would be freshened for nearly two months up to the Movieland Futurity and then take an extended rest before making his three year-old debut.  All agreed this was a sensible move; after all, the rest after California’s signature winter race for juveniles could be lengthy because the Breeders’ Bowl Juvenile is virtually assured a place in the starting gate for all the spring classics. 

The connections of Swapsco Kitty had a different puzzle to solve.  Their dynamic Scat Daddy scratch-bred filly had practically laughed at her peers as a two year-old.  She was a Grade II winner before the end of May, and finished the fall with three straight Grade I wins, including an open-lengths triumph in the Breeders’ Bowl Juvenile Fillies.  Her winning time that day was nearly identical to that of Deadmoney Cadet’s, and the ease with which she won had pundits making comparisons to such legends as Winning Colors, Ruffian, and Rachel Alexandra. 

In the summer of 2015, Swapsco Kitty’s connections were dreaming of Kentucky glory on the first weekend in May.  In the days following the Breeders’ Bowl, they shifted their focus from a Friday win in the Bluegrass to one 24 hours later.  It was that decision that set the two juvenile champions on a collision course for a Movieland Futurity meeting made for the silver screen.  The showdown even warranted a mention in local entertainment trade press, one outlet lamenting that Merv Griffin was not around to produce the race’s television coverage.

The supporting cast was as strong as one would expect.  Breeders’ Bowl Juvenile co-favorite Nureyev’s Ghost entered as well, his connections eager for the Ghostzapper colt to improve off a close-up 4th in Kentucky.  As the winner of the G1 End of the Line Futurity, his ability was undeniable and his brilliant early speed threatened to be a danger to the top pair. 

Vyrantium figured to be the beneficiary of that early speed.  His two year-old campaign began brilliantly and he was beaten just a head by Nureyev’s Ghost in the G1 End of the Line Futurity.  His closing kick in the Breeders’ Bowl Juvenile opened eyes.  He was flying late and gaining on winner Deadmoney Cadet with every stride.  Beaten just a half length that day, many thought that he was peaking at the right time and ready to move to the head of the division.  His connections no doubt dreamed of making the Eclipse voting interesting with a decisive win.

New shooter Preacher’s Cause had skipped the Breeders’ Bowl, instead annexing the G3 Nashua Special at one mile the week after with a powerful late move.  A late-developing type like the Giant’s Causeway colt figured to be dangerous.  The same thinking applied to G3 Cornstalk winner Cantinero (Smart Strike).  And one could safely toss neither G3 Cryogenics Juvenile winner Make Em Believe, his Breeders’ Bowl flop notwithstanding, nor royally-bred G3-placed stakes winner More Than Subtle.

The non-racing media coverage, however, focused on fabulous starlet Swapsco Kitty and her showdown with presumptive male champion Deadmoney Cadet.  And why not?  Rarely does a top filly face the males, and usually no earlier than spring of the three year-old season.  Swapsco Kitty’s connections’ act of sportsmanship was virtually unheard of.  The world had their eyes on the two champions.

The champions had their eyes on each other.  Jockey R. Heller had ridden Deadmoney Cadet to victory in the Breeders’ Bowl by taking his charge back to fourth and pouncing on the leaders.  His well-timed move left just enough in the tank to hold off the late move of Vyrantium.  And with similar speed signed on for the Movieland, Heller promised to do the same.  Swapsco Kitty’s connections were cagey about their intentions – perhaps not having yet decided, as new rider V. Bavaro had only worked the filly twice – though pundits agreed that coming from midpack (as she did in the Breeders’ Bowl) and spotting Deadmoney Cadet too many lengths early would be suicide.  Yet Bavaro had to be aware of the late power of Vyrantium and not get burned up too early.

The tactical speculation reached a frenzy when Swapsco Kitty drew the rail and Heller vowed in the media to “sit just off her flank.”  Nobody had seriously considered a situation where the champion filly was more forwardly placed than Deadmoney Cadet; some dismissed it as a bluff intended to allow Deadmoney Cadet to cross over in front of her.  Regardless, the draw forced Bavaro’s hand.  ‘Kitty could not be safely wrangled back to midpack from the rail.

At the break, Nureyev’s Ghost sped to the front from post 7 as expected; Deadmoney Cadet (post 8) was very keen and tugged his way alongside him.  Swapsco Kitty was sent from the rail to hold her position but she ended up getting stuck in the pocket when outsider Symboli Bird (post 3) was quick enough to box her in.  Nureyev’s Ghost was hard sent through an opening quarter in 22 4/5 and reached the half in 46 flat. 

Ultimately it was the fast pace that gave Swapsco Kitty enough of a cushion to get outside the speed.  The top two’s duel left an opening, and the filly had enough turn of foot to leave Symboli Bird and find room to swing outside.  Nureyev’s Ghost threw in the towel early after five furlongs.  Heller could not have been happy how early he’d made the lead and had to wonder if he would have been better off using the more restrained tactics he’d used in Kentucky.  Deadmoney Cadet hit six furlongs in 1:09 4/5.  Swapsco Kitty had dead aim.  The crowd roared in anticipation of a ding-dong battle but the filly powered by the colt fairly easily to win by ¾ of a length.  Symboli Bird stayed on well to be third.  Vyrantium’s closing move was way too late; he was a non-threatening fourth.

A huge on-track throng cheered the winner.  Others catcalled to Heller for a questionable ride.  Vyrantium’s supporters complained of some of the trouble he had in upper stretch.  Japanese-bred Symboli Bird was hailed as “developing at the right time.”  The math geeks at Cal Tech were raving about Nureyev Ghost’s “atmosphere-adjusted pace fig.” 

Most of all, the smell of the Bluegrass was in the air.