Los Al: Litmus Test scores in Los Alamitos Futurity

Betting favorite Litmus Test stalked pacesetter Provenance through the first turn, then took command entering the stretch and drew off to a convincing win Saturday in the Grade 2, $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity.

Juan Hernandez rode the victory for trainer Bob Baffert, who swept the trifecta with his three starters and captured his ninth win in the 1 1/16-miles race for 2-year-olds. The victory earned Litmus Test 10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby prep.

Provenance (6-1), ridden by Kyle Frey, established the early lead through fractions of 23.26 and 46.67 seconds. Litmus Test (3-5) tracked from second through three-quarters of a mile in 1:10.43, then made his move through the far turn.

Litmus Test seized control approaching the stretch and opened daylight on his stablemates through a mile in 1:35.85. He completed the distance in 1:42.38 on the fast main track.

Blacksmith (4-1), piloted by Kazushi Kimura, rallied from last to finish second. Provenance held third after setting the pace, and Acknowledgemeplz (6-1) finished fourth. American King and Captivator rounded out the order of finish.

Litmus Test paid $3.20 and $2.20. Blacksmith returned $3.60 to place. There was no show wagering. The $1 exacta paid $3.80, and the $1 trifecta returned $11.40.

A $875,000 purchase at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale, Litmus Test is a Kentucky-bred son of Nyquist out of the Malibu Moon mare Study Hard. Owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables, he improved his record to 5: 2-0-1. The colt entered off a fourth-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), where he was beaten by eight lengths by Ted Noffey.