Four Wheel Drive powers to victory in Belmont's Futurity Stakes

Four Wheel Drive overhauled Jack And Noah in the stretch and then pulled away to a commanding three-length victory Sunday in the Grade 3, $150,000 Futurity Stakes at Belmont Park.

The victory earned the 2-year-old son of American Pharoah an automatic berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita.

Sent off as the 4-5 favorite in the field of six juveniles, Four Wheel Drive went to the lead right out of the starting gate under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. He was quickly passed, however, by a keen Jack And Noah, and Ortiz Jr. was content to let the headstrong gray lead the field through a swift opening quarter in 21.62, with a half in 44.33.

Four Wheel Drive began closing in on Jack And Noah on the far turn and drew even with him as they entered the homestretch. Ortiz Jr. then asked his mount for a bit more and the response was immediate, with Four Wheel Drive eventually drawing off to win by three lengths.

Four Wheel Drive is a bay colt by American Pharoah out of Funfair, by More Than Ready. He is trained by Wesley Ward for owner Breeze Easy LLC.

After the race, Mike Hall of Breeze Easy LLC said, “We had a lot of faith in him, but he’d only run once before.”