Passed Due noses out Stratagem in Gold Rush Futurity

Passed Due won a photo over Stratagem to remain undefeated in two career starts Sunday in the $100,000 Gold Rush Futurity at Arapahoe Park. The race closed out the meet, and the Aurora, Colo., track drew a season-high crowd of 6,468.

Passed Due ($32.80) broke out at the start of the Gold Rush and settled several lengths off the pace, with Social Request zipping through an opening quarter in 21.61 seconds while pushed along by Bessie’s Boy. Social Request began to separate himself from the field through a half-mile in 43.99, as Passed Due advanced along the inside, overtook the leader late and hit the wire along with a charging Stratagem.

“The trip was really nice, a fast pace,” said winning rider Miguel Fuentes Jr., who was aboard for trainer Temple Rushton. “When I asked him he made a big move.”

Passed Due won by a nose over Stratagem. The winner covered six furlongs on a track rated fast in 1:11.97.

Rushton said Passed Due would now target a stakes in New Mexico.

Passed Due races for the partnership of Vance Alfrey and Stuart Eskew. He won his debut by 10 lengths in an Arapahoe maiden special weight May 31, and was making the second start of his career in the Gold Rush. Passed Due earned $60,000 for the win, to push his career bankroll to $66,000. He is a son of Pass Rush and was bred in Indiana by Swifty Farms.