Keep an eye on supplements

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Wild Catseye and Barelyinourbodgit, the first two supplements in the history of the New Jersey Futurity, bear watching Friday night at The Meadowlands Racetrack when the split divisions of the race are run for the 46th time.

The New Jersey Futurity, the premier event for 2-year-old New Jersey-breds, attracted seven runners for the $64,000 filly division and eight for the $65,000 colt and gelding division.

The fillies and colts have sometimes run in a single division when the number of entrants did not warrant a split.

The rule change to permit supplements could be the first of many changes made to overhaul and rekindle interest in the race.

The Futurity requires three nominating and sustaining payments, with the final installment due June 1 of the horse's 2-year-old season. The requirement to prepay so far in advance has discouraged some owners from keeping horses eligible.

"The membership will decide the issue, but one idea would be to see the Futurity become a pair of stakes with the usual nomination schedule," said Mike Campbell, the executive director of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey.

The payment of $5,300 supplements added a key contender to each division.

Barelyinourbodgit has won his last two races - his maiden race against statebreds and an allowance race against open company.

"He's been wonderful for us," said trainer Tim Hills. "He runs between horses, takes dirt in his face, and does everything. He's very professional and mature for a 2-year-old."

Barelyinourbodgit ran Beyer Speed Figures of 62 and 60 in his races and will need to improve in the six-furlong stakes.

War's Prospect ran an 88 to easily win his maiden race last time out. Dos de Mayo, improving with every start, registered a 73 to win his maiden last time out.

Midnight Express owns the most stakes experience in the race. He lost by 26 3/4 lengths in an ambitious reach, the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park.

Midnight Express ran far more competitively in open stakes at Monmouth Park, finishing third in the Continental Mile and fourth in the Smoke Glacken.

He will race on Lasix for the first time in his return to New Jersey.

Knightsound, Dancin Dusty, X Partner, and Game Within a Game complete the field.

Wild Catseye and Jersey Gia are the only winners in the filly division. Wild Catseye has won one of three starts and most recently ran third against open allowance company.