It is not news that Bob Baffert is expected to win his 18th Del Mar Futurity and fourth consecutive edition of the West Coast’s most prestigious summer race for 2-year-olds, but it is worth noting that I don’t think it will happen with the favorite.
Baffert trains three of the seven entrants in the Grade 1, seven-furlong Futurity, which this year is at the same track as the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Nov. 1.
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Getaway Car is the 6-5 morning-line favorite off consecutive wins by a combined 8 3/4 lengths to start his career. Both races were impressive, including a win in the Best Pal Stakes (G3) last out to make him the field’s lone graded-stakes winner. But neither was faster than Citizen Bull’s career debut.
Another interesting wrinkle is that Baffert’s third entrant Gaming won his only race gate to wire, which is the same style of Getaway Car. This benefits Citizen Bull as he pressed the pace on debut, and there figures to be plenty of speed here with McKinzie Street for trainer Tim Yakteen also a gate-to-wire winner on debut.
But make no mistake. The real attraction for me is that Ragozin has rated Citizen Bull as the best performer to date of this group. Knowing that Getaway Car likely will be odds-on means Citizen Bull certainly will be value, considering I think he’s the most likely winner.
This is a case of singling Citizen Bull in all multi-race wagers, and I’m looking forward to betting him to win.
Photo: Courtesy Hong Kong Jockey Club Hong Kong racing is at Sha Tin overnight Saturday into Sunday with a first post at midnight EST,
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