Distance a questions in juvenile stakes at Lincoln

A full field of 10 juveniles will try six furlongs for the first time in the $25,000-added Capitol City Futurity as the curtain comes down on the 32-day meet at Lincoln Race Course on Sunday.

Four winners are in the field and are joined by a trio making their career debuts, with Alert the Press the only 2-year-old to have won locally. Diane’s Grey Dawn, a filly trained by Ray Tracy, is one of three horses made eligible through a $200 supplemental nomination earlier this month.

Alert the Press heads the local contingent for trainer Rodney Davis. A son of Mass Media, Alert the Press was impressive winning his career debut here July 10 under a hand ride by a widening 5 3/4 lengths. The question of distance applies equally to all in this field, so Alert the Press may rate the slight edge based on his strong trip over the track. Chris Fackler has the return mount.

Diane’s Grey Dawn won her maiden at Prairie Meadows on June 14 in her second career start. A daughter of Pomeroy, Diane’s Grey Dawn will have regular rider David Mello aboard.

Also supplemented to the race were Jump Boots from trainer Joe Woodard and Witt’s Halo for trainer Dudley Graham. Jump Boots made his debut in the Hoover Stakes at River Downs on July 10, where he encountered trouble at the start and failed to threaten. Witt’s Halo was second to Alert the Press in his first start here.

Brenda’s Wampum, a four-length winner of her career debut in Iowa on May 13 should be a major factor. An Iowa-bred daughter of Indian Ocean, Brenda’s Wampum stalked the pace going 4 1/2 furlongs at Prairie Meadows, bid through upper stretch, and drew off. Shane Laviolette will ride.

– Bill Hodtwalker

Arapaho: Danzip tops Colo. Derby

There is not a test Danzip has not passed since he launched his racing career in January. Undefeated in five starts, he is a winner at one turn and two and will be seeking his fourth stakes victory of the Arapahoe Park meet Sunday when he moves back into open company for the $30,000 Colorado Derby.

The 1 1/16-mile race drew a field of eight and will share a program with the $38,415 Colorado Thoroughbred Breeders Association Lassie as well as two rich stakes for Quarter Horses.

Danzip, who began his career in a $20,000 maiden claiming race at Turf Paradise on Jan. 31, has quickly climbed the class ladder. He took a first-level allowance at Turf Paradise one start later, on March 12, then came to Arapahoe in his homestate of Colorado. Upon his arrival, Danzip won the $30,000 Inaugural against open-company 3-year-olds on May 30, the $39,000 Aspen against older statebred sprinters on June 19, and the $35,000 CTBA Derby for statebreds in his two-turn debut July 3.

Danzip led throughout in the CTBA Derby, at 1 1/16 miles and again looks like the controlling speed of the Colorado Derby. Russell Vicchrilli has the mount for trainer Doug Grinolds.

The chief threat could be E F Five, who finished 1 1/4 lengths back in second in the CTBA Derby.

The CTBA Lassie for 2-year-old statebred fillies at six furlongs looks like a matchup between debut winners Sweet Dixie Van and Class Trans Action.

The Grade 3, $123,395 Rocky Mountain Futurity for 2-year-old Quarter Horses at 350 yards is led by dominant trial winner I Cant Seek Jack.

– Mary Rampellini