Crosscheck Carlos among invaders for Shine Young Futurity
Horses who last raced at Santa Anita, Churchill Downs, and Indiana Grand have invaded Evangeline Downs to run against fellow Louisiana-breds in the two $100,000 divisions of the D.S. “Shine” Young Memorial Futurity on Saturday night.
The fillies’ division goes as the seventh race with a field of 10, while the division for colts and geldings drew a full field of 12. Both divisions are at 5 1/2 furlongs.
Crosscheck Carlos could prove to be the dominant speed in his division after a wire-to-wire win in a $50,000 maiden-claiming race June 12 at Santa Anita. He was favored for owners ERJ Racing and Neil Haymes and won by 6 3/4 lengths. He was assigned a field-high Beyer Speed Figure of 68. The start came for trainer Doug O’Neill, but in Louisiana, the horse will start for trainer Al Stall Jr., who has a division at Evangeline.
Stall said he’s had Crosscheck Carlos for only a little while.
“He’s in great shape, a very good-looking colt,” Stall said. “He’s done everything just fine.”
Crosscheck Carlos worked six furlongs at Los Alamitos in 1:12.60, then came here and breezed a half-mile in 50.60 seconds on July 10. “Being around him, the way he travels, that look in his eye, and the three-quarters-of-a-mile work in 1:12 and change at Los Al, combine all those things and you’d have to think you have a horse that’s super live,” said Stall.
Jamie Theriot has the mount from post 4.
Others set to start include Just Due, who won a $50,000 maiden-claiming race in his debut June 25 at Churchill Downs, and Whoajoey, who rolled to a 12 1/2-length debut win May 20 at Evangeline.
Jazz Lady enters the fillies’ division off a maiden special weight win June 24 at Churchill Downs. She tracked the pace and prevailed by a length, and the 70 Beyer she earned is the best number in either Shine Young division.
“I thought it was a very professional race,” said Bret Calhoun, who trains Jazz Lady for Carl R. Moore Management. “I thought this filly ran very impressive first time out. We were kind of trying to figure out which direction to go with her, and this race was there. I thought it was a good spot – good timing and a good purse.”
Francisco Torres has the mount from post 2.
Jazz Lady’s rivals include C’Time, the winner of a May 31 maiden special weight at Indiana Grand, and P Boo, who defeated three next-out winners when capturing a maiden race June 8 at Evangeline.