Mastery displays brilliance in Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity

Mastery displayed his brilliance over four rivals while winning the Grade 1 Los Alamitos CashCall Futurity by 7 1/4-lengths.

Bobby Abu Dhabi broke sharply and set a tepid first quarter of 23.37, with Mastery glued to his flank. Irap sat in third, five lengths off of the top pair with Show Me Da Lute and Dangerfield farther back. Bobby Abu Dhabi and Mastery ticked off a half in 45.65.

Irap challenged Bobby Abu Dhabi and Mastery at the top of the lane. Bobby Abu Dhabi quickly backed up, but Mike Smith gave Mastery his cue as they rounded the far turn. The leggy bay colt opened up with slight urging in the stretch to capture the race by 7 1/4 lengths His final time of 1:41.56 for 1 1/16 miles was 3/5 of a second off of the track record of 1.:40.82. Irap raced erratically in the stretch, but was a clear-cut second by 5 ¾ lengths over Dangerfield.

Mike Smith reflected on Mastery's victory, “He relaxed great today and I think the key was (trainer) Bob (Baffert) putting the blinkers back on. He started looking around a little when he made the front in the stretch, but after I gave him a reminder he re-broke and was strong. His gallop out was also very good.’’

Mastery offered backers $2.40 to win and $2.10 to place. Irap returned $9.40 to place. There was no show wagering. The exacta was a chalky $13.00, and the $1 trifecta returned $36.90.

Mastery (Candy Ride (ARG) - Steady Course, by Old Trieste) was bred in Kentucky by Stone Farm. The $425,000 Keeneland September Yearling runs in the silks of Cheyenne Stables LLC and is conditioned by Bob Baffert. Mastery's victory earned Baffert his ninth CashCall Futurity trophy.

Baffert commented after the race “You don’t know how they are going to do going two turns for the first time until they try it. Turning for home he hit a bit of a lull and l didn’t know if he was going to go on or flatten out. (Jockey) Mike (Smith) said it was a good thing I put the blinkers back on him because he hit the brakes when he made the lead. The last part he threw it in another gear. I thought we would be up pretty close, but I knew (pacesetter Bobby Abu Dhabi) was a fast horse and looked fast in the paddock. I was worried when I saw the fractions (45.65 for the opening half and 1:09.53 for six furlongs), but then he looked like he handled it pretty well. He withstood it and kicked on again at the end.’’ 

Mastery is undefeated and basically untested in three starts, having conquered his rivals by a combined 12 ¾ lengths. He has $271,200 in earnings, plus ten Kentucky Derby qualifying points.The son of Candy Ride's winning margin was the largest in CashCall Futurity history.