Steady Warrior solid in Tri-State Futurity

Steady Warrior, a Maryland-bred son of Cherokee’s Boy, will attempt to follow in his sire’s footsteps as the probable heavy favorite in the $100,000 Tri-State Futurity at Charles Town.

In 2002, Cherokee’s Boy won the Tri-State Futurity, a seven-furlong race restricted to 2-year-olds foaled in Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia. Only two other stallions, North Flight and Christopher R., have won the race and sired a Tri-State Futurity winner.

Based at Laurel Park with owner-trainer Gary Capuano, Steady Warrior dominated the Oct. 2 Maryland Million Nursery, then two weeks later surrendered the lead in deep stretch to finish second in the First State Dash at Delaware Park, a $75,000 stakes restricted to Delaware-certified runners. He will be stretching out beyond six furlongs and trying two turns for the first time.

Steady Warrior’s main competition figures to come from Just Your Way, the runner-up three weeks ago in the Vincent Moscarelli on the West Virginia Breeders’ Classic card.