Coastal Kid and jockey Alex Cruz appeared to be on their way to a certain victory over 3-10 favorite Dutton in Thursday night's $75,000 Gottstein Futurity at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash., when the 2-year-old son of Coast Guard suddenly bolted to the outside in midstretch.
Jeff Metz, trainer of Coastal Kid, the 9-2 second choice in the wagering, said his jockey speculated that the photo finish lights above the finish line might have spooked the horse, who was making only his second career start.
“Alex (Cruz) said when the lights came on, the horse ducked out,” said Metz. It's unfortunate to lose a race that way.”
There are now a million and one ways to lose a horse race.
The Gottstein Futurity was anything but routine, even before the start, which was delayed more than 10 minutes after Great Gasby got loose at the gate and was subsequently scratched.
Dutton, who came into the Gottstein Futurity unbeaten in two stars by a combined margin of 23 lengths, sped off to quick lead at the start in his first try around two turns. Under jockey Jennifer Whitaker, Dutton went lickity-split: the opening quarter mile in :22.48, the half in :45.49 and six furlongs in 1:09.43.
“My horse is a little high strung and the wait didn't help,” trainer Howard Belvoir said of Dutton, who was wringing wet with sweat when the race began
Nearing the top of the stretch, it looked as though Dutton may have run out of gas.
“Jen said he was tired at the quarter pole, but he dug in,” Belvoir said of the Noosito gelding.
Dutton did fight back against Coastal Kid when the latter loomed to his outside. When Coastal Kid took a right-hand turn, causing Cruz to lose his irons, Dutton went on to the victory in 1:43.15 for 1 1/16 miles after a mile fraction in 1:36.15. Easy Silence finished second, with Coastal Kid hanging on for third, with Cruz riding bareback style.
“It's too bad for the horse that ducked out, that's a tough situation, but I'm very proud of Dutton,” said Belvoir.
Dutton and Jennifer Whitaker winning the Gottstein Futurity
The post Lights, Camera, Action! Coastal Kid Bolts, Leaving Dutton As Gottstein Futurity Winner appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
