Flashback: 5 rousing renewals of the Los Alamitos Futurity

Since its inaugural running in 1981, the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) has gone by several names. Originally held at now-shuttered Hollywood Park, the race was known as the Hollywood Futurity and later the CashCall Futurity before settling with its current name at Los Alamitos in 2014.

The 40th running of the Los Alamitos Futurity is set to take place on Saturday. In celebration, let’s turn back the clock and recount five rousing renewals of the influential race:

1. A.P. Indy nabs his first Grade 1 win (1991)

Future Horse of the Year and breed-shaping sire A.P. Indy had to work hard to secure the first Grade 1 win of his decorated career. Facing 13 rivals in a deep renewal of the Hollywood Futurity, A.P. Indy needed every ounce of his stamina to rally wide from ninth place and win by a neck. To his credit, though, A.P. Indy was facing stiff competition — runner-up Dance Floor and third-place finisher Casual Lies returned to crack the trifecta in the 1992 Kentucky Derby.

2. Real Quiet defeats Artax in a driving finish (1997)

There are two reasons that Real Quiet managed to turn back a challenge from Artax to prevail by a length in the 1991 Hollywood Futurity. First and foremost was Real Quiet’s abundant talent — in 1998, he would be voted champion 3-year-old male off victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. But it also turns out 1 1/16 miles was pushing the limits of Artax’s stamina — he eventually won three Grade 1 sprints, including the 1999 Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

3. Into Mischief secures his signature victory (2007)

Nowadays, Into Mischief is a renowned stallion best known as the sire of 2020 Kentucky Derby winner Authentic. But Into Mischief also was a talented racehorse, stretching his speed over 1 1/16 miles to defeat future Travers (G1) winner Colonel John in a deep renewal of the CashCall Futurity.

4. Pioneerof the Nile prevails in a thriller (2008)

Pioneerof the Nile’s place in racing history is secure thanks to his son American Pharoah, winner of the 2015 Triple Crown. But Pioneerof the Nile was a high-class racehorse in his own right, with his first top-level success coming in the CashCall Futurity. Facing future Wood Memorial (G1) winner I Want Revenge, Pioneerof the Nile had to dig down deep to win by a nose, in the process displaying the talent and tenacity that would carry him to a runner-up effort in the 2009 Kentucky Derby.

5. Dortmund wins a three-way photo finish (2014)

The first edition of the Futurity held at Los Alamitos produced a memorable outcome as Dortmund, Firing Line and Mr. Z battled to the finish line heads apart. All three would go on to compete in the 2015 Kentucky Derby, with Firing Line and Dortmund finishing second and third under the Twin Spires. But at Los Alamitos, it was the imposing Dortmund who won the day, crossing the wire in front by a tenacious nose.

J. Keeler Johnson is a writer, videographer, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast. A great fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager to be the greatest racehorse ever produced in America, but counts Zenyatta as his all-time favorite. You can follow him on Twitter at @J_Keelerman.