Bear’s Future in Swynford spotlight

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The promising Bear’s Future makes his much-anticipated second start Sunday at Woodbine in the $150,000 Swynford Stakes. The seven-furlong sprint has produced a host of 2-year-old Canadian champions, including Mine That Bird in 2008, but it does not have graded status.

Bear’s Future was bet down to 5-2 in a seven-furlong maiden special Aug. 13, and didn’t disappoint his many backers. After pressing a moderate early pace, he assumed command on the turn and then drew off in the stretch to win by 5 3/4 lengths, after which he galloped out strongly. His time of 1:24.16 translated into a Beyer Speed Figure of 68.

Trainer Reade Baker said he had anticipated a powerful debut race from Bear’s Future, who is a son of freshman sire Rockport Harbor.

“We thought at that point that he was the best of our 2-year-olds,” Baker recalled. “He’d always shown that, right from the word go. We still have some to run, but he’s stood out. You love being around a horse like him. He’s such a big, laid-back, calm, gentle horse—no antics at all. If you saw him gallop, you couldn’t guess that he has the lick that he has.”

Bear’s Future breezed five-eighths over the training track in 1:00.40 on Sept. 6, to Baker’s satisfaction.

“Everything’s great,” said Baker. “He’s as good as we’re going to get him.”

Something Extra has raced three times for trainer Gail Cox, and could be the second betting choice in the five-horse field.

Something Extra graduated second-time out, in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special July 18. For covering the distance in 1:03.63, this son of red-hot sire Indian Charlie was awarded a Beyer Figure of 75. He went on to finish second to the well-regarded Stormy Rush in a six-furlong allowance.

Devilish Stunt won his maiden by six lengths in front-running style, in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special June 20. He subsequently finished a distant third behind Glory Game and future Grade 3 Sapling Stakes winner Madman Diaries in the Colin Stakes, and was also third in Something Extra’s last outing.

Whippit showed little in his first two starts on Polytrack, but the maiden was a prominent second on turf most recently, in the allowance prep for the Grade 3 Summer Stakes.

Good to See You won his only start in a short sprint on the dirt at Fort Erie, earning a 49 Beyer.