Scottish Man scores upset in West Virginia Futurity

The public bet the $65,375 West Virginia Futurity at Charles Town on Saturday night as if it was a match race, with Burnin Ring O Fire hammered down to 2-5 in the seven-furlong race for statebred 2-year-olds and Midday Man the 6-5 second choice.

Apparently, Scottish Man didn’t get the memo. He used a bold move on the second turn to score a 12-1 upset in the five-horse field.

Four starters in the Futurity had last raced in the Vincent Moscarelli on Breeders Classics night, when Burnin Ring O Fire defeated Midday Man by a half-length. Scottish Man was the lone newcomer.

Not for Sonde, who finished 10th in the Moscarelli, went to the early lead and set fractions of 23.50 and 48.42. He was tracked by Midday Man, who was difficult for jockey Antonio Lopez to control for much of the race as he appeared to lug out.

Burnin Ring O Fire raced in third while saving ground. Scottish Man was unhurried by Jose Montano while trailing the field.

Midday Man took the lead from Not for Sonde nearing the far turn, and Burnin Ring O Fire was taken outside and commenced his bid. But Scottish Man ran by both of them with a quick burst to take a clear lead on the turn.

Midday Man tried to rerally, but Scottish Man kept going and scored by 1 3/4 lengths. It was another length back to third-place Hard Being Me, who raced outside Burnin Ring O Fire early.

Burnin Ring O Fire flattened out to finish fourth, and Not for Sonde finished far back in last.

Scottish Man, who like Midday Man is trained by James W. Casey and owned by his Taylor Mountain Farm, paid $26.60 and was timed over a fast track in 1:27.73.

The son of Charitable Man had won a Charles Town maiden race in his prior start and is now 2 for 4.

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