Expert Pick of the Week: 2023 Breeders’ Futurity Stakes

Oct 04, 2023 John Mucciolo/TwinSpires.com

A total of nine promising juvenile prospects will travel 1 1/16 miles on the Keeneland main strip in Saturday’s $600,000 Breeders’ Futurity S. (G1). The 'Win and You’re In' tilt will provide the first-place finisher with an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita on Nov. 3.

Conditioner Todd Pletcher saddled Forte to a victory in the contest last season, and he could make it two straight victories with the impressive Locked. By Gun Runner, the $425,000 yearling purchase broke slowly at first asking at Saratoga before rallying for a third-place result in a six-furlong sprint on the dirt, and he came back with an exceptional victory on the same oval when traveling one mile at The Spa.

The chestnut posted a robust 105 Brisnet Speed figure for his work last time out, and the Kentucky-bred has posted a trio of very good morning drills in the interim in advance of his stakes bow. Locked displayed much more interest in the early stages of his maiden romp, and he will receive a nice stalking trip while a few lengths off of the early pace to the top of the lane on Saturday, before putting in his fine late burst in the stretch. Jose Ortiz, who has guided the top selection in each of his pair of races to date, will be in the stirrups once again.

Mike Maker’s The Wine Steward brings in an unblemished 3-for-3 career mark to Keeneland and will stretch out for the initial time in his career. The $340,000 two-year-old purchase has displayed both tactical speed and a closing kick in each of his three sprint endeavors to date, and the son of Vino Rosso seems poised to give a good account of himself trying two turns from the rail. Bred in the Empire State, the February foal will save ground throughout the race and will be well positioned turning for home with Luis Saez taking the reins.

An exacta with #9 Locked on top of #1 The Wine Steward in the 2023 Breeders’ Futurity is the Best Bet of the Week.