Improbable leads Baffert duo home in Los Alamitos Futurity

Improbable lived up to his 1-5 odds in the Grade 1, $300,000 Los Alamitos Cash Call Futurity Saturday, coming from off the pace to win his third race in as many starts. It also marked the 11th victory in the Kentucky Derby 2019 prep for trainer Bob Baffert, who has won each edition since the race moved to Los Alamitos from Hollywood Park in 2014.

"At the top of the stretch (Improbable) looked a little lost," Baffert said. "(Jockey Drayden Van Dyke) had to hit him a couple of times. Once he straightened out, he got into that long, beautiful stride of his."

Improbable, who first garnered attention for living in Triple Crown winner Justify’s old stall, won on debut at Santa Anita in late September before shipping to Churchill Downs to win the Street Sense Stakes on the Breeders’ Cup “Future Stars Friday” undercard.

With the Los Alamitos Futurity win, Improbable now has 10 points on the "Road to the Kentucky Derby." He is campaigned by WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and SF Racing, the original ownership group of Justify.

"Bob has liked this horse all along. When Justify went to the farm from Del Mar this summer, Bob put Improbable in his stall," WinStar President and CEO Elliott Walden said. "I loved his race today. The best thing about it was his last eighth of a mile and the way he galloped out. That gives you the hope for the future and that’s what we’re all looking for going towards the Spring classics."

Baffert’s other entry, Mucho Gusto, set fractions up front in 23.25 and 47.25 while Van Dyke kept Improbable off the pace. The six-horse field was mostly compact down the backside after Dueling regained a better position. Savagery, who raced inside Mucho Gusto at the break, came out entering the first turn and sent Extra Hope wide, which fanned Dueling out as well. 

Savagery was back it with Mucho Gusto down the backside, but Baffert’s duo was the strongest. Mucho Gusto ticked off three-quarters in 1:10.82 before Improbable started to wind up on the outside. The chestnut City Zip colt sailed five lengths in front of his stablemate and completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.18.

"We were just behind the trouble on the first turn, and to be honest, we benefited because we ended up where wanted to be, three wide behind the leaders," Van Dyke said. "This is just such a cool horse. He hit another gear when we got to the stretch."

Mucho Gusto was second ahead of Extra Hope. Savagery was disqualified from fourth and placed fifth, while Dueling was elevated to fourth. King of Speed bobbled at the start and never showed much, finishing sixth.

Improbable proved the star of the show with his five-length win.

"The good horses always find a way to win," Baffert added. "He had trained like he was going to run like this. I was really excited about (Mucho Gusto). He tried very hard and just got a little tired. His race was very encouraging. We’ll just let these horses come along at their own pace and hope they stay healthy. That’s the key.

"Improbable has a long stride like Justify. He’s just a smaller version. I’m not saying he’s at Justify’s level yet, but he’s a really good horse."