Trip Notes for December 20: Los Alamitos Futurity

Saturday, December 20

Los Alamitos - Los Alamitos Futurity (race 8)

COMMENT: Dortmund stayed unbeaten and confirmed his status as a leading Kentucky Derby aspirant – but it wasn’t easy. The son of 3-year-old champ Big Brown came into this off smashing wins at Santa Anita and Churchill Downs, earning status as a heavy favorite in this small field. He sat a few lengths behind Firing Line and Mr. Z as those two set fast splits, moved closer turning for home looking as though he was ready to pounce, but then had to work hard the entire length of the stretch to the outside of those two to get up in the final stride, giving trainer Bob Baffert his seventh Futurity win. He accomplished quite a bit here, winning in his first stakes try and first attempt around two turns, and he set a track record, but the slim margin may mean he’s not as invulnerable as many think. Then again, he was coming back in 21 days and had shipped back and forth across the country. Firing Line, smart winner over maidens at Del Mar Nov. 30, dueled with Mr. Z from the start through fast splits, got bumped by that foe a couple times in the lane and stayed on to just miss by a head. Mr. Z went right out to the lead, set fast splits while being hounded by Firing Line from the start, lugged out a bit in the lane to bump Firing Line a couple times, and missed by a head and a nose. These three may knock heads again at the upcoming Santa Anita meet.