Distance makes Tri-State Futurity tricky

A pair of horses who have shown sharp form in short sprints must prove they can handle a much longer distance and two turns in the two divisions of the Tri-State Futurity at Charles Town.

We're in the Money, a winner of three consecutive stakes going 4 1/2 furlongs, stretches out to seven furlongs in race 8, worth $50,000, for 2-year-old fillies foaled in Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia.

In race 9, the $50,000 division of the Futurity for colts and geldings, Ghostly Thunder comes out of a fast, dominant win over maidens, but has yet to race beyond 4 1/2 furlongs. If he can adapt to seven furlongs around two turns, Ghostly Thunder will be tough to beat.

The longer distance of the Futurity could aid several horses trying to knock off the favorites.

Among the fillies, Color Parade has finished behind We're in the Money three times, getting as close as a half-length in the Cinderella three starts ago. The average winning distance of her sire, Way West, and her dam, Anastasia, was 6.3 and 6.5 furlongs, respectively, an indication Color Parade may improve with more distance.

The field also includes Youbeyoun'i'llbeme, who easily beat maidens two starts ago but was no factor when We're in the Money won the $90,000 Triple Crown Nutrition on the West Virginia Breeders Classic program last month. Youbeyoun'i'llbeme is a half-sister to Hold on Tight, the runner-up in the 2005 West Virginia Futurity.

In the colts and geldings division, Milwaukee Fun is a viable alternative to Ghostly Thunder. Milwaukee Fun has already won going 6 1/2 furlongs and should improve with more distance as a son of Milwaukee Brew, who won the 1 1/4-mile Santa Anita Handicap twice.