CashCall Futurity Features An Eclectic Bunch

The CashCall Futurity is the last chance of the calendar year to see top Kentucky Derby prospects duke it out. This year’s grade 1, mile and 1/16th race at Hollywood Park may not have any of the current favorites for next year’s Run for the Roses, but what it lacks in star power, it makes up for with a number of interesting prospects. So much so, that a case easily could be made for anyone in the ten horse field. Favoritism should be contested between the following five horses: Comma to the Top is the now horse and the one to beat. Experienced with nine starts already, the gelded son of Bwana Charlie enters off an impressive four race win streak. A fifth straight win may boil down to whether the speedster can handle early pressure against quality horses. Local threat, Industry Leader, a son of Cherokee Run, looks primed to stretch-out after two sharp efforts over the Hollywood strip for trainer Kristin Mulhall. In his second start, he looked strong as chased home Premier Pegasus in the Hollywood Prevue Stakes. The most accomplished horse in the race is four-time stakes winner J P's Gusto, who will hope to return to top form as he returns to a synthetic surface. He proved no match at all for Uncle Mo last time in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on dirt. Rustler Hustler may be the most interesting colt in the race. He is shipping in from the East Coast off of two straight stakes scores on the grass. The last was a visually impressive romp at Belmont Park. He has already won a synthetic surface and has been working sharply on the Gulfstream Park dirt for new trainer Rick Dutrow. Shipping in from Florida is Gourmet Dinner who continued to surprise bettors with an impressive win in the rich Delta Downs Jackpot in his latest effort. With four wins and one second in five stars, and a win around two-turns, the son of Trippi merits respect. Meanwhile, each of the other five colts in the race offer plenty of hope.  The best bred horse in the race is Clubhouse Ride. The son of Candy Ride out of a Seeking the Gold mare, shipped East to run third in the Delta Jackpot, where he made a bold move before flattening out while going two-turns for the first time. Recent winner over the track, Riveting Reason is a stablemate of highly regarded Premier Pegasus, and has the early speed to keep Comma to the Top busy early. Two races back he set the pace in the BC Juvenile. Ronin Dax has already traveled from San Diego, to Toronto, to Louisville, and back to Hollywood in his brief career. After a sharp debut win, the son of Tapit has not met with much racing luck in two subsequent stakes tries. High Level Jeff makes his second start for new connections after impressing in his first two races in South Florida. He did not live up to his billing in his first try on the West Coast, but his breeding suggests that he may improve around a route of ground. And finally, Slammer Time is coming off a nice win in the Cal Cup Juvenile Stakes. The son of Grand Slam is moving up in class, but seems to be improving with each and every start. Ten horses and they all have a chance to win, but you can’t bet them all. I am going to go out on a limb and select a big longshot for this year‘s CashCall Futurity. Clubhouse Ride is an improving and well bred colt who should improve in his second try at a distance. With P-Val in the irons, he’ll be my pick to click at big odds.