Red Mile: Sig Sauer shines in Kentucky Futurity

Those that expected a two-horse race between Hambletonian champion Karl and runner-up Highland Kismet were disappointed when Sig Sauer overcame post eight and a largely overland trip to capture Sunday's $500,000 Kentucky Futurity in a 1:49 3/5 mile for driver Andrew McCarthy. Sig Sauer, trained by Noel Daley, was back in vintage form to capture the sport's oldest stakes event in style.

McCarthy left the gate with Sig Sauer but had plenty of company as he raced wide through the first turn. Dame Good Time had advanced from post two to the early lead, and that left Bob McClure and Highland Kismet with the decision to push on through the opening quarter and drive for the lead. Dexter Dunn was away quickly as well, and he was three-deep with Tony Adams S much of the opening bend, with McCarthy moving Sig Sauer ahead of Karl midway on the bend.

Highland Kismet reached the top at the 26 3/5 first quarter but felt immediate pressure from Dunn with Tony Adams S. The two sparred briefly, with Dunn gaining control through a torrid and likely record-setting 52 4/5 first half-mile. With McCarthy on the move with Sig Sauer before the half, McClure moved again to regain control, and those two hooked up in a major struggle on the far turn. Karl, with Gingras, appeared poised from second-over as Mr Bluebird followed from third-over.

Highland Kismet hit three-quarters in 1:21 and had enough while Sig Sauer and McCarthy appeared fresh as can be and drew off briefly. Amazing Catch and James MacDonald had room to the inside and gained ground but were unable to reach Sig Sauer and settled for second. Bella's Musclehill was reserved off-the-pace and rallied late for third ahead of Mr Bluebird while Karl finished fifth, the first time he'd been off the board throughout his brilliant career.

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Owned by Patricia Stable, Joe Sbrocco, JAF Racing, Allister Stable and Caviart Farms, Sig Sauer, a son of Muscle Hill, won for the fourth time in eight starts as a sophomore while knocking two-fifths of a second off his career-best with the win.

"He's a great horse," said McCarthy following the victory. "That trip was quite an effort."

As a 9-1 offering Sig Sauer returned $21.18 to win.

"He had it all together today," said Daley, who last won the Futurity more than 20 years ago with Mr Muscleman.

Vic Zelenskyy marched to the front past the quarter and romped to victory in the $50,000 Futurity consolation for driver Dexter Dunn. The impeccably-bred son of Greenshoe and champion Mission Brief equaled his career-best with a 1:50 1/5 mile for trainer Marcus Melander. Flyling Kronos S and Call Option were a long way back while second and third in the mile.