Dutton, Time for Gold may meet in Gottstein Futurity

Dutton and Time for Gold couldn’t have been more impressive winning their respective stakes races last Thursday, and they could hook up in the $75,000 Gottstein Futurity on Oct. 1. They would both be going around two turns for the first time in the 1 1/16-mile Gottstein.

Time for Gold would seemingly have an edge. She won the Barbara Shinpoch for 2-year-old fillies by 11 lengths and is bred to run all day. With three races, she also has more experience than Dutton, who won the $36,000 WTBOA Lads by nine lengths in his debut.

Trainer Frank Lucarelli wasn’t sure how good Time for Gold was after she won the $36,000 Angie C. by nine lengths in her second start on July 30. He is now convinced the Washington-bred daughter of Harbor the Gold is the real deal. She was ridden by Javier Matias in her three races, which include a third-place finish in a $25,000 maiden claimer on July 8.

“I have seen too many horses run a race like she did in the Angie C. and never repeat it,” Lucarelli said. “She wasn’t blowing at all when she came back to the winner’s circle Thursday. She is a very nice filly.”

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Lucarelli wasn’t sure if Time for Gold would run in the Gottstein.

“She came back great,” he said. “She is a half-sister to a horse that finished second going a mile and a quarter on turf in a Grade 2, so I am not worried about the distance. I don’t have any problems with running her against the boys, either. I like to give my young horses time, so I might give her a short break then take her to Golden Gate.”

The horse Lucarelli was referring to is Kenjisstorm who was the runner-up in the 2018 Grade 2 Charles Whittingham at Santa Anita.

Anyone that listened to trainer Howard Belvoir bragging about Dutton was rewarded with a $17.80 win price for his romp in the Lads with Jennifer Whitaker riding.

“I told you and a lot of people he was a nice colt,” Belvoir said. “He’s kind of a freak. He galloped out 20 lengths in front, so I think he’ll keep running. It is a lot to ask to have him come back in 30 days and go long for the first time, though. I’ll train him and see how he’s doing before I decide if I am going to run him in the Gottstein or not.”

Dutton’s impressive debut took a little sting out of Belvoir having to retire Barkley due to a tendon injury. In his final start, he was eased in the $40,000 Mount Rainier on Aug. 13. A Kentucky-bred son of Munnings, Barkley compiled an enviable 10-5-1 record from 20 starts for earnings of $368,425. His most important victory came in the 2018 Grade 3 Longacres Mile.

“A lot of people are asking if I have another Barkley,” Belvoir said. “I hope so. We’ll see.”

Wednesday’s 10-race card features a $22,043 carryover in the Pick 7 Jackpot. The 20-cent wager begins on the fourth race.