Chance to Excel follows fast qualifying run with win in final of Ed Burke Million Futurity

Chance to Excel, the fastest qualifier from time trials earlier this month, won his stakes debut in Sunday’s $1.11 million Ed Burke Million Futurity at Los Alamitos in what is expected to be his final start until the autumn.

Chance to Excel ($4.40) closed well in the last 100 yards to win the 350-yard Burke by three-quarters of a length in 17.43 seconds. Terrific Temper, a maiden who was second to Chance to Excel in the trials on June 7, finished second at 8-1, a half-length in front of La Jaconde, the winner of the $279,200 Kindergarten Futurity on May 17.

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Jose Nicasio rode Chance to Excel for trainer Monty Arrossa and owner Sammy Valeriano.

In the trials, Chance to Excel was timed in 17.31 seconds, the fastest clocking at 350 yards by a 2-year-old at Los Alamitos since Heza Dasha Fire won the 2014 Ed Burke in 17.22 seconds. Heza Dasha Fire was champion 2-year-old gelding in 2014 and World Champion the following year.

The Burke is the leading futurity of the summer in California. Arrossa said after the Burke that Chance to Excel will be rested this summer, and has the Golden State Million and Los Alamitos Two Million futurities in the fall as late-season goals.

Time trials for the Golden State Million Futurity are Oct. 18, with the final on Nov. 1.

Chance to Excel was sixth in his debut on April 25 when trained by Chris O’Dell. Chance to Excel was transferred to Arrossa following that race and won a maiden special weight race at 300 yards on May 16.

Purchased for $45,000 at the 2019 Los Alamitos equine sale, Chance to Excel has won 3 of 4 starts and earned $458,515.