Firecracker Futurity scouting report
Saturday, July 4, Delta Downs
The Low-Down: Grade 1 futurity runner-ups Forget Thinkin and Dynaglide bring the biggest bankrolls into Saturday night's Grade 2 $100,000 Firecracker Futurity at Delta Downs. But this analyst is looking at Shake Change as the upset winner of the 350-yard dash.
Shake Change glided over the Delta Downs surface in posting a one-half length victory in the second of four trials and has already demonstrated he can improve in the finals.
Our Eyes: Let's take a look at the key qualifiers.
2. TF MS SPECIAL PERRY (17.84): She had enough trouble in the first trial to merit longshot consideration. The Heath Taylor-trained filly was bumped into another rival leaving the gate and went okay late when finishing third while 1 1/4 lengths behind fastest qualifier Mr Jess XL.
3. MR JESS XL (17.63): He outran his 7-1 odds with a sharp one-half length victory in the first trial when beating Dynaglide, the prior Remington Park Futurity runner-up. The improving colt only finished .06 behind Forget Thinkin when fifth two outs ago in the Retama Park Futurity.
7. WEST COAST MAGIC (17.83): Even though he is a maiden, the Panther Mountain colt ran hard after an alert start when dropping a one-half length decision vs. Shake Change in the second trial while under solid left-handed urging throughout. He has exotics potential.
8. SHAKE CHANGE (17.73): I loved the way this colt was reaching out over the surface in his one-half length win after establishing the lead past the 1/8-pole before showing big strides late. In his previous start, he was second in the John Deere East Juvenile Challenge behind the undefeated Streak N Attitude. He has always run better in the finals than in the trials.
10. DYNAGLIDE (17.72): She is the likely favorite based on her runner-up effort in last April's Remington Park Futurity and a troubled second-place finish in the first trial. She was bumped solidly soon after the start and dug in gamely when one-half length behind Mr Jess XI. Her outside post is a big plus.
The Bottom Line: I loved Shake Change's trial win and fear Dynaglide the most. I will bet Shake Change to win and box that pair in the exacta. If playing trifectas, I recommend using TF Ms Special Perry and Mr Jess XL underneath.
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