Talented Colts Look to Live Up to their Bloodlines at the G1 End Of The Line Futurity
Kentucky (KY) – Saturday, September 29, 2018 — 3:00:00 PM EST
End Of The Line Futurity – 8.5 Furlongs on Dirt
Grade I — Purse : $750,000
Restricted to 2 Year Olds
In another preview of some of the contenders who will surely be testing their mettle on the Bluegrass Derby trail next spring, fourteen two-year-olds enter the starting gate in Kentucky on Saturday to go just over a mile on dirt. Into Being Nice is the favorite, but has faltered in this position before, with a disappointing sixth at the G2 Closest Friend Stakes in August. Fellow G3 winners Envenom and All Cat No Hattle look to take advantage of any weakness, while Pound the Rock could be the best value for your money.
San Francisco (9/1) has had three strong starts, two wins, early in his career. This will be the first step up to stakes of any kind but pedigree stemming from Uncle Mo and G2-winning mare Wild Magic demonstrates he has at least as much underlying talent as anyone else in this race.
Ghost Hunt Ted (10/1) won an 8 furlong allowance race in blistering fashion last time out. He is one of just four of these starters to boast a speed figure greater than 90 so far in his two-year-old season. If the past two races are a better indication of his finishing quality than his first start in a stakes race, this colt will be in contention to place.
Third in line is Envenom (7/1), one of four graded stakes winners in the race. A perfect three-for-three on the track so far. He won the G3 Trixy Delight’s Special by a nose as the favorite. Looks to continue a perfect record against a tougher field this weekend.
Missoula (10/1) likes to race from the front, just like his dam Otto History. That Hall of Fame mare racked up five G1 victories in addition to a second-place finish at the Breeder’s Bowl Distaff. Missoula needs one to match his half-brother Thehistoryofcadet, who took home the Binger Handicap in July.
Frac that Gold (16/1) has weathered a heavier racing calendar than most of the others this season. Seven starts with two wins. Three attempts at the G3 level has resulted in placing once. The split longshot for this weekend, but he won’t look terribly out of place even as a worst-case scenario.
Street Brains (13/1) is the son of G1 Streetsmart Prayer. Two wins from five, with a third-place in the G1 Hopeless Stakes last time out. Likes to start near or at the back of the pack but could sneak another result to back up that GP badge.
All Cat No Hattle (7/1) is another offspring of a famous mare, this time Bluegrass Oaks and Breeder’s Bowl Distaff winner First Degree Bern. Came in fourth, nearly two lengths behind Pound the Rock, at the High Roller’s Juvenile but has much shorter odds than him this weekend. A blemishless record other than that one race supports his chances, but this is no sure thing.
Coming out of the eighth gate is Glory to God (8/1), the divinely named son of Deadmoney Cadet. His he-mare won the 2015 Breeder’s Bowl Juvenile to cap off a strong rookie season but faltered the next year to finish 19th in the Bluegrass Derby. Regardless of how this weekend goes, Glory to God’s connections will be hoping for more success long-term.
Into Being Nice (5/1) is the slight favorite. Five wins from seven, including the G3 Cryogenics Juvenile. Never in contention at the G2 level the previous month, but may prefer the added distance at this point in the year. If he wins, don’t expect to see him until the last second, flying by fast starters with a late charge.
Pound the Rock (15/1), the aforementioned winner of the G2 High Roller’s Juvenile, has some real talent for this morning line. No really speedy performances as of yet, but still won two of the past three with longer odds. One red flag is that his only race over 6 furlongs came at the G1 Hopeless Stakes, finishing fifth.
Spirit Not Pride (12/1) started on the turf but moved over to win the listed stakes Mount Billy Dirt Juvenile on dirt at the beginning of the month. He’s shipping over for his first start in the United States.
It’s hard to tell with Zenzari (16/1), the joint longshot who has yet to race above the allowance circuit this year. Decent speed figures but only two wins against all local bred Argentine fields. May never factor in the race as a slow starter.
Nirvana Munnings (10/1) similarly takes a big step up but crushed a mile-long allowance race in August on this track with a speed figure of 88. Lightly raced, with two wins and a place in three starts all year.
Rounding out the field is Threat Eliminated (13/1), who ships over from New York following a strong allowance win just under this distance. Another decent kicker who could show up late.
Prediction:
- All Cat No Hattle
- Missoula
- Into Being Nice