Emerald's top juveniles may slug it out in Gottstein Futurity

AUBURN, Wash. – While the Emerald Downs meeting is winding down to its final days and the stakes calendar is all but complete, one divisional championship – for 2-year-old colts and geldings – has yet to be decided. Trackattacker is undefeated in four starts and was thought to be the slam-dunk leader heading into the season-ending Gottstein Futurity on Sept. 28. But then Prime Engine made a scintillating career debut last weekend, and suddenly everything has changed.

The comment line in Prime Engine’s past performances says, “in hand, eye catching” – an apt summation of the colt’s romping victory in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden race Saturday. He covered the distance in 1:03.55 and won by 10 1/4 lengths with jockey Isaias Enriquez scarcely moving a muscle. It was a breathtaking performance against a field of well-regarded 2-year-olds. Prime Engine was assigned a Beyer Speed Figure of 83 – the fastest race at Emerald Downs by a 2-year-old in almost seven years.

Prior to the race, trainer Mike Puhich said that if Prime Engine were to pass his first test, he could run back two weeks later in the Gottstein, a 1 1/16-mile route that serves as Emerald’s traditional 2-year-old championship race. Both Prime Engine, a $110,000 Keeneland yearling purchase for Mark Dedomenico, and Trackattacker would have to answer questions about their versatility and staying power should they start in the Gottstein. Five starts down, and neither horse has been headed.

Trainer Frank Lucarelli said he’s confident that Trackattacker can flourish at the distance. Prime Engine, by the standout middle-distance runner Northern Afleet, also should be equipped to handle the trip.

There is a possible fallback should either trainer decide his horse would be better served at a shorter distance. Lucarelli had mentioned the six-furlong, $50,000 Cahill Road Stakes on the Gottstein undercard as a possibility for Trackattacker. Puhich has other options as well, with a fall campaign at Santa Anita being discussed for both horses.

Gallant Son, the champion 2-year-old at Emerald in 2007, went on to compete in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile for Lucarelli, and the trainer has hinted that Trackattacker could take the same path should he pass his final test at Emerald Downs. But any mention of Gallant Son speaks to how good Prime Engine might be. His 83 Beyer was the highest by a 2-year-old at Emerald since Gallant Son earned an 86 for his victory in the 2007 Gottstein Futurity.