Pirates Deputy takes Gottstein Futurity

AUBURN, Wash. - Pirates Deputy won an eventful running of the $100,000 Gottstein Futurity at Emerald Downs on Saturday, defeating stablemate Wild Cycle by 4 3-4 lengths after 1 1-16 miles in 1:42.20.

The race was greatly complicated when second choice Honour the West unseated rider Ben Russell at the start, then rushed up inside the pacesetting Wild Cycle and carried that runner to the middle of the track on the backstretch. Wild Cycle rejoined the battle after checking, but was packed wide around the second turn and did well to get second, four lengths ahead of third finisher Templeton.

Pirates Deputy, who was favored at 2-1, moved to take command on the second turn under Nate Chaves and was never threatened in the stretch. Pirates Deputy, a son of Bertrando from the barn of trainer Aubrey Villyard, earned $54,450 for owners Sue Villyard, Brennan Shapiro and Ben Tweedy. It was the first win from four starts by Pirates Deputy, who had been stakes placed twice.