Bear's Future eyes Breeders' Cup Juvenile

Bear’s Future, who displayed plenty of promise when romping to victory in his seven-furlong debut, passed his first acid test with an authoritative score here in Sunday’s $153,300 Swynford at the same distance.

And, if all proceeds according to plan, Bear’s Future’s future could include an appearance in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs on Nov. 6.

“We’ll try the Grey,” said trainer Reade Baker, alluding to the Grade 3, $225,000 stakes that will be run over 1 1/16 miles here Oct. 10. “He certainly acts like he’ll like going two turns; I’m positive he will.

“All going well, we’ll head to Louisville after that.”

Bear’s Future, a Kentucky-bred who races for the Bear Stable of Danny Dion, was purchased for $52,000 at the Ocala Breeders 2-year-olds in training sale this April.

“He didn’t work really fast; that’s the reason we were able to buy him,” Baker said.

Bear’s Future immediately shipped north to the nearby Pine Valley Training Centre, where he spent about a month before joining Baker at the racetrack.

The colt had worked well in preparation for his debut, and Baker was not surprised to see him score in his opener.

“He’d worked in company with some of our other best 2-year-olds,” said Baker, who names Bear’s Future and Bear Chocolated as his top juvenile performers to date.

Bear Chocalated, a first-out winner at six furlongs here Aug. 2, bucked shins that day and will not return to action until later this fall.

Bear’s Future, meanwhile, followed up his 5 3/4-length score here Aug. 13 with a 3 1/2-length win under returning rider Gerry Olguin in the Swynford.