Expert Pick of the Week: 2022 Breeders’ Futurity

An overflow field of 16 juveniles was entered in Saturday’s $600,000 Breeders’ Futurity S. (G1). The “Win and You’re In” contest will give the winner an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) on Nov. 4, at the same Keeneland track and 1 1/16-mile distance.

Among the numerous excellent prospects in the heat is a pair of intriguing two-year-olds from the barn of Brad Cox. Of the duo, I came away more impressed with the debut victory posted by Loggins on Sept. 17 at Churchill Downs. He is the Expert Pick of the Week. 

Bred in the Bluegrass State, the bay colt was sent postward as the 4-5 favorite at first asking and didn’t disappoint beneath the Twin Spires. The March foal broke well and tracked a solid pace with intent, prior to exploding to the front in early stretch and waltzing home a splendid, 8 1/2-length winner at first asking. 

By Ghostzapper, Loggins is cut out to love route racing, and he looks to be ready to deliver after posting a swift half-mile morning drill in preparation for his initial stakes attempt. He will have go-to rider Florent Geroux in the stirrups and is expected to be forwardly placed from the opening bell. 

Instant Coffee, also from the Cox shedrow, outran his 14-1 price in his unveiling at Saratoga when annexing a seven-furlong dash in impressive fashion. By young sire Bolt d’Oro, the February foal overcame a slow break from the rail to post an excellent late-running victory, hinting that he will improve with more distance going forward. 

The $200,000 yearling purchase shows a trio of positive morning drills in the interim, and I expect him to be doing his best work in the stretch under the guidance of Luis Saez. 

Hopeful S. (G1) star Forte will be a force to be reckoned with if he repeats his latest performance for conditioner Todd Pletcher. The Violence colt was a stylish debut winner at Belmont Park, and following a fourth-place result in the Sanford S. (G3), the Kentucky-bred roared home a superb winner over a sloppy, sealed surface at the Spa most recently. Regular pilot Irad Ortiz Jr. will be in the silks atop the obvious win contender. 

An exacta with #2 Loggins on top of #5 Instant Coffee and #7 Forte in the Breeders’ Futurity is the Best Bet of the Week.