Tranche ($42) proves impossible to catch in Fasig-Tipton Futurity
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ARCADIA, Calif. - A failed start in Kentucky last month provided sufficient experience for Tranche to win for the first time in his career in Saturday’s $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Futurity at Santa Anita in an upset.
Tranche was third in the $197,500 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 4, finishing 9 3/4 lengths behind the easy winner Youalmosthadme, an undefeated filly who was the 1-4 favorite. Tranche was within a length of Youalmosthadme early in that race before fading from contention.
In the Fasig-Tipton Futurity at five furlongs, Tranche ($42) set the pace and proved impossible to catch. Ridden by Edwin Maldonado, Tranche drew away to win by 7 1/4 lengths in 57.68 seconds and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 80.
Maldonado rode Tranche for the first time in Kentucky. Lessons learned that day were applied on Saturday.
“When he ran in Kentucky, there was a nice horse in there,” Maldonado said. “I kind of hurt myself trying to beat the favorite.”
When Tranche broke quickly in the Fasig-Tipton Futurity, Maldonado found himself on a colt racing within his ability through fractions of 22.15 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 45.36 for a half-mile.
“I stayed out of his way,” he said. “Turning for home, I was all by myself.”
Mirahmadi, the 3-5 favorite, closed from fourth to finish second, 1 1/4 lengths in front of 9-5 Refocus. Going Mobile and Next Level completed the order of finish.
Mirahmadi, named for Santa Anita track announcer Frank Mirahmadi, had his debut in the Fasig-Tipton Futurity. Mirahmadi, who was purchased for $1.05 million as a yearling, was ridden by leading rider Juan Hernandez for trainer Bob Baffert.
“He was professional,” Hernandez said of Mirahmadi. “I was in a nice spot. When I asked him to pick it up, he picked it up. The other horse was running fast and kept going.
“This first race will help him.”
Tranche, by Collected, races for Bill Peeples and trainer Luis Mendez. Purchased for $210,000 as a yearling, Tranche was seventh after a slow start in his debut in a maiden race at Keeneland on April 7 before the start in the Kentucky Juvenile.
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