2016 FrontRunner Stakes - Is Klimt Unbeatable?

Seven two-year-old colts are expected to run the 1 1/16 miles around the Santa Anita oval. The top three finishers in Del Mar Futurity will face off against four less accomplished foes.

The Lock?

The last two editions of the FrontRunner Stakes were captured by American Pharoah and Nyquist. Both were overwhelming favorites. Will Klimt follow in their hoof prints?

Bob Baffert is confident that he can add an eighth FrontRunner Stakes trophy to his collection. Baffert’s charge Klimt (Quality Road - Inventive, by Dixie Union) is the most accomplished juvenile colt in California. During his three race win streak, the bay colt has trashed his competition by a combined 12 ¼ lengths in three starts, including the Best Pal Stakes (G2) and Del Mar Futurity (G1). Raphael Bejarano Is the colt’s regular jockey. Klimt posted a very sharp 5 furlong pre-race breeze. Read Klimt’s pedigree profile.  

Del Mar Futurity:

Taking Another Shot

After a ten-length runaway victory over maidens, Straight Fire  (Dominus - Tricky Indy, by A.P. Indy) fought on the lead throughout quick fractions in the Del Mar Futurity, but was empty when Klimt swept by. The Keith Desormeaux trainee was clearly second best, holding the position by 1 ½ lengths over the third lace horse, Midnight Pleasure. Kent Desormeaux piloted Straight Fire in the colt’s first three starts, but hands the reins over to Flavien Pratt. Straight Fire recorded one slow 5 furlong breeze since the Del Mar Futurity. 

Pedigree: Straight Fire is a half to stakes placed sprinter Magical Band. Their dam won/placed in all three starts. She’s a half to the multiple G3 stakes winner sprinter Confide (Swale S.; Spectacular Bid S.).

Midnight Pleasure (Midnight Lute - Platinum Preferred, by Vindication) faced winners and more experienced horses for the first time in the Del Mar Futurity. He raced two – three wide near the pace the entire way. The Shelbe Ruis trainee was a little green down the stretch, but was slowly gaining on the tiring Straight Fire. Martin Garcia retains the mount. Midnight Pleasure breezed twice since the Del Mar Futurity. Garcia was aboard for the colt’s last work.   

Pedigree: Half to state-bred turf stakes winner Megeve. Unraced dam is a half to two-time Canadian Champion A Bit O'gold. That one’s full brother Arco's Gold was 2yo stakes winner.

Plum Dandy (Medaglia d'Oro - In Secure, by A.P. Indy) won at a mile in his second start, beating maidens, including Vibe, by 2 ¼ lengths. The son of Medaglia d'Oro broke from the rail and attended the pace while in tight quarters.  Jockey Bejarano pushed the colt through the opening on the rail and Plum Dandy didn’t hesitate. He extended his lead and the pair won under a hand ride.  Trained by Simon Callaghan, Plum Dandy should love the extra distance and he’s posted two decent 5F breezes. He gets his third rider in as many starts and will have Mike Smith in the irons.    

Pedigree: Plum Dandy has the pedigree to love 2 turns. He’s a half to multiple SW Millionreasonswhy (Matron (G2)); stakes winning sprinters Beyondallboundarys (Dearly Precious S.) Roundupthelute (C.B. Afflerbaugh S.) & stakes placed Securitiz (Flat Out S. 1 3/8 miles). Their dam is a multiple stakes winning sprinter and the 2nd & 3rd dams are stakes winners.

Vibe (Astrology - Oaks Lily, by Badge of Silver) showed nothing in his debut, which was won by Midnight Pleasure. The next time out, Vibe faced Plum Dandy. While Plum Dandy got a swell ground saving trip, Vibe was forced between three and six wide throughout the entire race.  Around the far turn, the tired Vibe and jockey Kent Desormeaux tried to challenge Plumb Dandy, but tired. The gallant colt was overtaken for second place.  Desormeaux sticks with Vibe for the Frontrunner Stakes. Vibe had a decent 6F stamina pre-race work.

Pedigree: Vibe is a first foal. His dam is stakes placed at 8.5 furlongs. Some minor blacktype in 3rd generation. Vibe’s first crop sire has 9 winners from 27 starters and 2 blacktype earners.

But I have an excuse!

Secret House (Tiznow - Mega Dream, by Medaglia d'Oro) won his debut in May, showing exceptional precocity for his breeding. In his second start, Tiznow’s son was on the rail in the 5 ½ furlong Santa Anita Juvenile and sat directly behind a 12.68 first quarter pace. When the colt got running room, he was just edged out for third by a neck. Trainer Doug O'Neill stuck blinkers on the colt for the Best Pal. Secret House stumbled at the start and it went downhill from there. Instead of passing horses on the outside, rider Santiago Gonzalez attempted to guide the large colt between horses and had to steady slightly. After taking the scenic route around the far turn, Gonzalez let the colt gallop home under his own power, passing one horse in the stretch.  Gonzalez stays aboard here. Secret House had two strong stamina works.

Pedigree:  Secret House is a first foal. His dam won a stakes at 6F on dirt and placed on the turf in the Royal Heroine Mile (G3).  This is the distaff line of 1991 Eclipse Award Turf Male Tight Spot, and the multiple graded stakes winning warrior Premium Tap.  Secret House is bred to handle classic distances and also has turf affinity throughout his pedigree. He should improve with maturity.

In Tough

Gormley (Malibu Moon - Race to Urga, by Bernstein) outclassed maidens by 4 ¼  lengths in a slow 1:17.79 just 27 days ago. Now he faces experienced stakes horses, tries two turns and breaks from the rail. John Shirreffs & Victor Espinoza team up.

Pedigree: Gormley is the first foal out of a stakes winning turf mare. His second dam is an Irish SW.  He has a strong turf pedigree and descends from 1986 Champion Grass Mare, Estrapade.

SELECTIONS:

Klimt shines both on the track and in the past performances. He’s the logical favorite. Yes, public handicappers get a lot of grief because, “anybody can pick the favorite.” But when the favorite doesn’t have a noticeable chink in his armor, there’s no sense in trying to beat him.  Second through fourth place need to be filled and possibly one of these colts can dethrone Klimt if the favorite stubs a hoof, has a poor trip or wants a day off.

Plum Dandy, Secret House and Straight Fire are all bred to improve with racing, distance and maturity.  If Straight Fire can take off of the pace, he may be able to show a stronger late kick. I don’t like how he simply folded against Klimt last time out and Straight Fire is probably still learning what to do.  Plum Dandy showed no fear when in tight on the rail and put away maidens with ease. Vibe had a tough trip last time out. He’s on the outside again, but if he can work out a good trip, this tough colt has a chance.  Midnight Pleasure beat a soft group in his debut and hand no answer in the Del Mar Futurity. Perhaps he’ll regroup here. Secret House is a large colt who didn’t handle the blinkers or the tight turns at Del Mar. With the blinkers back off and with a good trip, he could be an exotics spoiler.

#6  KLIMT (6-5)

#2 PLUM DANDY (6-1)

#5 STRAIGHT FIRE (9-5)

#3 SECRET HOUSE (20-1)