Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's Grade 1 Hopeful winner Forte made a big move around the far turn and looked set to sweep by his rivals in Saturday's Grade 1, $600,000 Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland. When he strode alongside the leading Loggins, however, Forte seemed to drift in toward that rival. Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. had to work overtime to keep Forte from pinning Loggins against the rail, even hauling on his right rein about 100 yards out from the wire, but Forte was able to hang on and win the stretch battle by a neck.
After the race, Loggins' jockey Florent Geroux lodged an objection for interference in the final furlong. After deliberating, the stewards disallowed the objection and the result was allowed to stand.
“At the turn, he was still figuring it out,” Ortiz explained. “He's a young horse, and I had to start working really hard on him. He started doing it little by little, but by the time I got there and hit the lead he started acting a little green and laying in a little bit. I had to take a big hold of him the whole stretch. He didn't even let me ride him that well. The whole time I had to hold him and, that horse inside of me, take care of him at the same time as I win the race.”
The 2-year-old son of Violence completed 1 1/16 miles over the fast main track in 1:44.74, giving his Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher a third victory in the race. Forte's victory also earned the colt an expenses-paid berth to next month's Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
Bred in Kentucky by South Gate Farm, Forte is out of the five-time stakes winning Blame mare Queen Caroline. He was an $80,000 weanling at the Keeneland November sale, and commanded a final bid of $110,000 at the next year's Keeneland September sale. The colt's record now stands at three wins from four starts, including two Grade 1's, for earnings of $555,150.
Loggins (Ghostzapper), trained by Brad Cox, was 6 3/4 lengths clear of the third-place finisher Red Route One.
“It was a good race,” Geroux said of Loggins' effort. “I got squeezed a little at the eighth pole. (Forte) came in a little bit on me and my horse was shifting, and I think it cost me the win.”
“He ran a good race,” Cox echoed. “I am proud of him. He's a good colt. He ran a winning race – just came up a little short. He battled back.”
The remaining order of finish was as follows: Instant Coffee, Newgate, Lost Art, Two Phil's, Honed, Funtastic Again, Frosted Departure, Powerful, Bourbon Bash, Carmel Road, and Good Heart.
The post ‘He Didn’t Even Let Me Ride Him That Well’: Forte Survives Stretch Battle, Objection To Win Breeders’ Futurity appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
