Grade 1, $500,000 Breeders’ Futurity, 1 1/16 miles, Keeneland, Oct. 9, 2021 (10 Derby qualifying points for first, 4 for second, 2 for third, 1 for fourth) Winner: Rattle N Roll, by Connect Trainer: Ken McPeek Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. Owner: Lucky Seven Stable Beyer Speed Figure: 81 RATTLE N ROLL continued his steady progression with his best race yet in his fourth start, easily handling a subpar field for this race while earning a career-best Beyer Speed Figure and giving every indication that the farther he goes, and the older he gets, the better. His sire, Connect, didn’t even get to the races until December of his 2-year-old year, and he was a terrific late-season 3-year-old, so the precocity displayed by Rattle N Roll to this point can only be looked at in a positive light. Yes, his figures put him well behind the current leaders of this division, but he’s got plenty of time to get faster in coming months. Longtime readers of these analyses over the years are well aware that I’m a fanboy of Hernandez, and he showed yet again in this race why he’s so valuable. Rattle N Roll got to the rail within the first 100 yards of the race and saved ground while going along comfortably as a sharp pace unfolded up front around the first turn. He inched closer heading down the backside with zero encouragement, then was deftly angled to the four path three furlongs out to avoid the traffic that was starting to develop in front of him. He made up significant ground on the far turn while wide without being asked, hit the top coming off the bend, was asked in earnest at that point, opened a commanding lead and coasted home. :: KENTUCKY DERBY 2022: Point standings, prep schedule, news, and more What I love about Hernandez is that he doesn’t impose his will on a horse unless absolutely necessary. Instead, he seeks to find a comfort level with his mount and let the horse do it on his own. That communication is the hallmark of a real horseman. That McPeek uses him so frequently shows that the trainer wants a rider who will help develop a horse over time. It’s fun to watch these two join forces. DOUBLE THUNDER, who finished second, broke a half-step slowly from his inside draw and then saved ground near the back of the pack around the first turn while following Rattle N Roll. He, too, got off the rail heading to the far turn and continued to follow Rattle N Roll around the turn, but he was not able to go with the eventual winner around the bend and had to be asked aggressively to try and keep up. He did keep to his task while wanting to shift in through the lane, but he was never catching the winner. The hot pace helped his late run, too. CLASSIC CAUSEWAY, who was third, was favored off a fast sprint debut win at Saratoga, but was hampered here by a wide draw that forced him to be used aggressively early, resulting in him setting a pace (:22.81, 46.74) that was unsustainable. He broke out a bit at the start, then rushed up to clear the field and take the lead around the first turn while racing in the two path. He led to midway on the far turn, was challenged by STELLAR TAP and turned him aside, but couldn’t go with Rattle N Roll, and only lost second in the late going. Four of the first five finishers were eighth, 10th, 12th, and 13th early, so with the race shape against him, he performed well for a horse making only his second start. AMERICAN SANCTUARY, who was fourth, checked sharply heading to the first turn and was shuffled back to last. He made up significant ground heading to the far turn, was able to save considerable ground on the far turn, sputtered on his run nearing the top of the lane, angled out in upper stretch and finished steadily. The race shape helped him. COSTA TERRA, who was fifth, was three wide toward the rear of the field around the first turn, dropped back to last with three furlongs to go, put in a mild rally in the three path on the far turn before splitting horses toward the end of the turn, then passed some tired rivals but never was a threat. MR. BOUMA, who was sixth, raced just behind and inside of Classic Causeway around the first turn, continued to save ground into and around the far turn, came under aggressive handling midway on the turn, did not change leads and retreated. Stellar Tap, who finished seventh, was bumped and jostled heading to the first turn but was able to secure a stalking position just behind and outside of Classic Causeway around that turn. He was sent along to try and get on terms with Classic Causeway on the far turn, but had nothing to offer when Rattle N Roll loomed up outside him, then capitulated through the lane. Both his two-turn races since his debut win – a milestone win for his trainer – have been disappointing. KEVIN’S FOLLY, who was eighth, raced mid-pack while three paths wide around the first turn, was unable to keep up and lost position heading to the far turn, was guided to the rail and saved ground on the turn, but never made any impact. GREAT ESCAPE, who was ninth, broke sharply but got floated out to the four path around the first turn, made a mild rally early on the far turn to get closer to the leaders, but was done before the top of the lane and was ridden sympathetically after coming off the bend. SEAL BEACH, who was 10th, was bumped and jostled heading to the first turn before having to finally check out of a bad spot, wound up in a decent position following Stellar Tap into the backstretch, made brief progress three furlongs out, but then suddenly gave way. MAC’S TIME, who was 11th, raced mid-pack and in the clear in the two path around the first turn, had to be asked to keep up before reaching the far turn, raced four to five paths wide on the far turn and never got close. :: DRF Bets players get free Daily Racing Form Past Performances and up to 5% weekly cashback. Click to learn more. KING CURLIN, who was 12th, raced between rivals toward the rear of the field around the first turn, then dropped back to last heading down the backstretch. He was unable to keep up at every stage. DON’T WAIT UP, who finished last of 13, was bumped and jostled heading to the first turn and was floated out to the three path. He was fourth while just behind and outside of Stellar Tap turning up the backside, began to falter before reaching the far turn and then really backed up moving around the turn to the point where John Velazquez all but eased him.