Cuttin In towers over Arizona filly futurity

PHOENIX - Not only is Cuttin In unbeaten in her only two starts, but she has yet to take a deep breath. A 2-year-old filly who won her only two starts by a combined 20-plus lengths, Cuttin In heads a field of 11 in Saturday's Arizona Breeders' Futurity filly division at Turf Paradise.

In the male division of Breeders' Futurity, favoritism among the 11 entered is less clear but figures to go to either Desert Prospector, a 12-plus-length winner last time, or the fast-emerging Itsallrelative. The two races, for Arizona-breds and with estimated purses of $55,000, go as races 6 and 7 and both are at six furlongs.

Cuttin In has been dazzling for trainer Tim Padilla and Alan Booge Racing Inc. She debuted at Turf Paradise on Oct. 18, and after dueling early drew off to win by more than 13 lengths. She came back in an allowance race Nov. 19, went off as a 3-10 favorite, and romped again - this time by seven lengths - against many of Saturday's same rivals. She looms a huge favorite here and will again be ridden by Wilson Dieguez.

Her main challenge, if there is one, might come from the suddenly dangerous Shellman Bluff. Trained by Kevin Lewis, Shellman Bluff showed speed but tired in her Oct. 31 debut. But then she put it all together on Nov. 19, leading wire to wire for an easy win and beating some of her Saturday rivals.

In the male division, leading rider Mick Ruis will ride Desert Prospector.

Desert Prospector's turnaround was startling. Trained by Bart Hone, he was nowhere in his Nov. 3 debut, breaking slowly and finishing 11th, beaten 19 lengths. Desert Prospector added Lasix and Ruis for his second career start here on Nov. 19, and he responded. He broke right on the pace, then drew off to romp by over 12 lengths.

Itsallrelative won his debut at Ruidoso in August, then came here and twice chased top juvenile Power Wave. He drew the rail in both races, which might have hurt his chances. He resurfaced on Nov. 19 and showed much more speed, opening a clear lead and winning easily. Like Desert Prospector, he is trained by Hone. Scott Stevens again rides.