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Practical Joke Colt Upsets Los Al Futurity

In each of his four previous trips to the post, Practical Move (Practical Joke) had finished behind Bob Baffert-trained runners, but the bay colt–conditioned by former Baffert assistant Tim Yakteen–exacted his revenge in a big spot Saturday afternoon, outfinishing pacesetting Carmel Road (Quality Road) to upset the GII Los Alamitos Futurity as the 10-1 second-longest price on the board. Fort Bragg (Tapit), who was demoted from an apparent victory over Practical Move two starts back, completed the trifecta, while hot favorite 'TDN Rising Star' Arabian Lion (Justify) was a spent force three furlongs from home and trailed in.

Carmel Road hit the ground running and led them along early as Arabian Lion was no better than three wide rounding the first turn before rolling forward to prompt from second. Ramon Vasquez had Practical Move in the early vanguard, but was only too happy to see Arabian Lion go on and took the sit from third. Positions were unchanged through the middle fractions, but when Practical Move went for a run underneath the odds-on pick at the three-eighths, there was no response from Arabian Lion, and Carmel Road became the target. Sent inside of that one in upper stretch, Practical Move struck to the lead about a furlong and a half from the wire and was pushed out to a comfortable score.

A debut second to the Baffert-conditioned 'TDN Rising Star' Cave Rock (Arrogate) on Del Mar debut Aug. 13, Practical Move was third at the seaside oval the following month to National Treasure (Quality Road), who would go on to be second to Cave Rock in the GI American Pharoah S. and third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Put up to the victory after Fort Bragg hampered him badly in the final stages of a one-mile Santa Anita maiden Oct. 10, Practical Move was a latest third to Baffert stablemates Havnameltdown (Uncaptured) and 'Rising Star' Newgate (Into Mischief) in the GIII Bob Hope S. down in San Diego County Nov. 20.

Baffert had won the Futurity 13 times going back to the Hollywood Park days and had unsaddled the winners in seven of the eight renewals at this Orange County facility.

“I'm surprised because we were going up against the king, but I'm not surprised because my horse was doing really well,” Yakteen admitted. “That it all worked out is just fantastic. We had a great trip and I'm just thrilled to death with the horse and his effort today. This one's really special because Bob is a good friend and we have a great relationship. I hate to take him down, but it ended up that I got the better of him today and he usually gets the better of me.”

Pedigree Notes:

Practical Move is the 18th worldwide black-type winner (11th in the U.S.) and 10th graded/group winner worldwide (fourth in the U.S.) for his young sire and was bred by Practical Joke's trainer in partnership with Head of Plains Partners.

Produced by a three-times stakes-placed half-sister to the multiple black-type winners So Lonesome (Awesome Again) and No Spin (Johannesburg) and from the family of Commissioner and Laugh Track, Practical Move has a weanling half-brother by Complexity and his dam most recently visited Upstart.

Saturday, Los Alamitos
LOS ALAMITOS FUTURITY-GII, $200,000, Los Alamitos, 12-17, 2yo, 1 1/16m, 1:41.65, ft.
1–PRACTICAL MOVE, 120, c, 2, by Practical Joke
                1st Dam: Ack Naughty (MSP, $310,450), by Afleet Alex
                2nd Dam: Dash for Money, by General Meeting
                3rd Dam: Hot Lear, by Lear Fan
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($90,000
RNA Ylg '21 KEESEP; $230,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-Pierre Jean
Amestoy, Jr., Leslie A. Amestoy & Roger K. Beasley; B-Chad
Brown & Head of Plains Partners (KY); T-Tim Yakteen; J-Ramon
Vazquez. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-2, $194,200.
Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Carmel Road, 120, c, 2, Quality Road–Inspired, by Unbridled's
Song. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($650,000
Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket
Stables LLC, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Jay
Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC & Catherine
Donovan; B-Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Bob
Baffert. $40,000.
3–Fort Bragg, 120, c, 2, Tapit–March X Press, by Shanghai
Bobby. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($700,000
Ylg '21 FTKOCT). O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket
Stables LLC, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Jay
Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC & Catherine
Donovan; B-SF Bloodstock LLC & Henry Field Bloodstock (KY);
T-Bob Baffert. $24,000.
Margins: 3 1/4, 4 1/4, 2. Odds: 10.60, 4.60, 4.20.
Also Ran: Tall Boy, Arabian Lion. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Big Ticket Colts Dot Los Al Futurity on Saturday

The Kentucky Derby points are back on the table in December. Well, for trainers Leandro Mora and Tim Yakteen that is, as it is once again time for the GII Los Alamitos Futurity. In prior contests, it would have been 10-4-2 or 1 to the top four finishers, but since we only have a five-horse field, and with Bob Baffert currently forced to abrogate his Derby egg hunt despite yet another re-christening of his legal stab at Churchill Downs, it is just Mora and Yakteen that are eligible.

Out of the handful that will go on Saturday afternoon at the cozy palm-laden oval that continues to breathe–we hope it does, because we need it to survive–you will see some major sale purchases strut their 2-year-old stuff. Historically, this race is Baffert's foregone conclusion, as he has netted 13 of them, starting with Real Quiet back in 1997. But last year, Reddam Racing's homebred, Slow Down Andy (Nyquist), ran contrary to his moniker by getting the best of Messier (Empire Maker) to end the Hall of Fame conditioner's streak at seven.

Baffert comes prepared this time and Messier's ownership group of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay A. Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan is well represented with a pair of promising super colts in Carmel Road (Quality Road) and Fort Bragg (Tapit). The former went for $650,000 at the KEESEP sale last year, while the latter did him one better by $50,000 at FTKOTC. Tom Ryan, the Managing Partner of SF Racing, said when reached by phone, “We've got 10 nice 2-year-old winners on the board this year, and Bob and his team are very focused on 2023.”

Carmel Road, who has a half-brother named Ambition (Street Sense) out of Inspire who RNAd at FTNAUG this year, lost steam and ended up second-to-last at Keeneland as would-be 2-year-old champion Forte (Violence) nosed ahead for his score in the GI Claiborne Farm Breeders' Futurity Oct. 8. That poor showing was nothing like his maiden victory in the race prior when he won in a geared-down fashion by 8 3/4 at Del Mar Aug. 26. Ryan said about the letdown, “We ended up drawing the outside with Carmel Road in the 14 hole, and the 14 hole at Keeneland with a two-year-old, it's not ideal. So that race is a complete throw out. His last piece of work was a sparkling piece of work. Hopefully, he's ready for this.” Sporting some sharp recent breezes at Santa Anita (Dec. 9, 5f; .59, 1/30), we can expect him to be below his 2-1 morning-line by race time.

As for his stablemate, the 4-1-priced Fort Bragg comes calling after he was disqualified at Santa Anita Oct. 10 and placed second, and then officially broke his maiden Nov. 4 by 3/4 lengths over next out winner, Reincarnate. “He is a beautiful horse that just continues to develop,” Ryan said. “Flavian Prat breezed him last week, was impressed enough to want to ride him. He is coming back from a vacation in France to ride him here. It's a tough, demanding race, but we hope he's up to the challenge.”

Opposing this pair is the last of Baffert's trio, Zedan Racing Stables's $600,000 OBSAPR bay colt by Justify, Arabian Lion. Stretching out around two turns, this 4-5 morning-line favorite has posted a pair of Beyer Speed Figures that sparkled; 92 at Santa Anita with a first-out win Oct. 9, and then a second-place finish with a 93 at Keeneland against optional claimers Nov. 4. All three of these runners could be looking to grab the lead early, and hold off any would-be challengers.

As for Yakteen's Practical Move (Practical Joke), he is not without recent form, nor should he be underestimated. The $230,000 OBSAPR buy ran second to Fort Bragg in that race Oct. 10, despite a poor stumble at the start and getting bumped by his rival in the final furlong. The colt ran third to Havnameltdown (Uncaptured) in the GIII Bob Hope S. Nov. 20. Recall, he is a horse that won at first-asking at Del Mar July 24, was the seized the GIII Best Pal S. Aug. 14, and was second in the GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity Sept. 11. If he can solve his gate issues, then he might be a player if a pace reactor failure occurs.

The big tickets will try to fly early at Los Alamitos. Baffert may not have access to those Derby points yet, but what is assured is this is going to be an intriguing renewal of the Futurity.

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Into Mischief Colt Earns ‘Rising Star’ Tag At Keeneland

Giant Mischief (Into Mischief) was a bit under the radar here at 6-1 after overcoming a fair bit of adversity to win on debut at Horseshoe Indianpolis Sept. 22, but he assured that won't be the case next out with an impressive score over 'TDN Rising Star' Arabian Lion (Justify) in a Keeneland optional claimer Friday, earning his own 'Rising Star' nod.

The $475,000 KEESEP buy, carrying the Spendthrift colors for this second start, put himself into the early mix from his low draw and stalked from second through a snappy :22.35 opening quarter. Favored Arabian Lion, who bobbled for a stride or two not long after the start, launched the first attack on the pacesetter, moving up outside of Giant Mischief to confront the leader as the half went in :45.84. That foe surrendered quickly and it was a three-wide Arabian Lion and the rail-skimming Giant Mischief turning for home together. Arabian Lion hit the front with such a head of steam that it looked like he'd blow the doors off his foe, but Giant Mischief refused to yield, and the pair battled down the length of the stretch, with Giant Mischief maintaining a narrow advantage to the wire. Arabian Lion was a gallant second after covering 25 feet (about 2 3/4 lengths) more than the winner. It was another 17 1/2 lengths back to Laurel debut victor Old Alliance (Hard Spun) in third.

The 36th 'TDN Rising Star' for Into Mischief, Giant Mischief is out of the MGSW mare Vertical Oak, who herself brought $700,000 out of the Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed Sale by Stonestreet Thoroughbreds carrying the winner in utero. Vertical Oak, who was trained by Steve Asmussen, is a daughter of Vertical Vision–also conditioned by the Hall of Famer–who was the first stakes winner for her sire back in 2009. Vertical Oak has since produced a weanling filly by Curlin and visited Quality Road for the 2023 season.

4th-Keeneland, $160,000, Alw (NW1X)/Opt. Clm ($100,000), 11-4, 2yo, 7f, 1:22.30, ft, 3/4 length.
GIANT MISCHIEF, c, 2, Into Mischief
1st Dam: Vertical Oak (MGSW, $773,095), by Giant Oak
2nd Dam: Vertical Vision, by Pollard's Vision
3rd Dam: Caney Creek, by Service Stripe
Sales history: $475,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $113,400. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Spendthrift Farm LLC, Steve Landers Racing LLC, M. Schwartz, M. Dubb, Ten Strike Racing, J. Bakke, Titletown Racing Stables, Kueber Racing, LLC, Big Easy Racing LLC, Winners Win, MK. Caruso & Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.

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Baffert Colts by Justify Run 1-2; Winner named ‘Rising Star’

Bob Baffert, whose juvenile colts made up the superfecta in Saturday's GI American Pharoah S. led by 'TDN Rising Star' Cave Rock (Arrogate), unveiled yet another potential superstar Sunday at Santa Anita in the form of Zedan Racing Stables Inc.'s $600,000 OBSAPR acquisition Arabian Lion (Justify). The :10 flat breezer was pounded down to 3-5, with workmate Elwood Blues (Justify) next in the betting at 5-2. The wagering public got it right. Arabian Lion emerged with the early advantage as Elwood Blues rushed up in between foes to be second as they entered the bend. Arabian Lion posted a half in :44.90, shrugged off his seemingly much smaller stablemate fully by midstretch and strode out a three-length winner worthy of the 'Rising Star' tag. Elwood Blues held second to complete the exacta for his trainer and Triple Crown-winning sire, who of course was also a 'Rising Star' for Baffert and who has now sired four horses from his first crop to earn this publication's distinction. Arabian Lion is his sire (by Scat Daddy)'s 18th individual winner.

The winner's third dam is none other than legendary runner and producer Personal Ensign. Arabian Lion's dam Unbound (Distorted Humor) began her career in Japan before being imported by SF Bloodstock and running second in a restricted sprint stakes at Belmont. She was later sold for $310,000 at KEENOV '15 in foal to Tiznow. After failing to produce a foal in the next two seasons following Arabian Lion, Unbound visited Frosted this term. Unbound's stakes-placed full-sister Mary Rita is responsible for a standout juvenile colt in her own right–her $550,000 son Major Dude (Bolt d'Oro) took to the turf when annexing the GII Pilgrim S. a week earlier.

6th-Santa Anita, $62,000, Msw, 10-9, 2yo, 6f, 1:09.78, ft, 3 lengths.
ARABIAN LION, c, 2, Justify
                1st Dam: Unbound {SP, $359,826}, by Distorted Humor
                2nd Dam: Possibility, by A.P. Indy
                3rd Dam: Personal Ensign, by Private Account
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $36,600. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG. Free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.; B-Bonne Chance Farm LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. *$600,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR.

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