Dugout wins third straight in New York Breeders' Futurity

Richard Ravin and trainer Larry Rivelli co-own the broodmare Rooney Doodle, who typically delivers her foals in the state of Illinois, where Rivelli is based. But in the spring of 2016, the mare delivered her Adios Charlie colt in New York so she could be bred back to a stallion in the state. That has proved a profitable turn of events, as that colt, Dugout, remained unbeaten with his second consecutive stakes victory against his fellow New York-breds in the $200,288 New York Breeders' Futurity on Saturday at Finger Lakes.

Dugout, who won his debut in July at Saratoga, came into the Futurity, the richest race on Finger Lakes's stakes schedule, off a victory in the Funny Cide Stakes on Saratoga's statebred showcase card in late August.

On Saturday, Dugout ($2.80) hopped at the start under Jose Valdiva Jr., but quickly recovered to take command, and led throughout the Futurity, drawing off to win by three lengths. He finished the six furlongs in 1:10.66.

True Gold finished second, 1 3/4 lengths ahead of La Fuerza.

Dugout, whom breeders Rivelli and Ravin co-own with Patrica's Hope LLC, is the third stakes runner out of the Lit de Justice mare Rooney Doodle, who was unplaced in her only start. The mare previously produced the stakes winner Jean Elizabeth, also by Adios Charlie, and stakes-placed Hollarforadollar, by Bring the Heat. She did not deliver a foal in 2017 or 2018, but was bred to Adios Charlie for a full sibling to her two stakes winners due next spring.