SON OF APTITUDE WINS FUTURITY ST GR.1
LANE'S END BREEDERS' FUTURITY-GI, $500,000,
KEE, 10-7, 2yo, 1 1/16m, 1:44, ft.
1--GREATHUNTER, 121, c,
2, by APTITUDE
1st
Dam: Zenith (SW & GSP, $205,186), by Roy
2nd Dam: Sequins, by Northern Fashion
3rd Dam: Brilliant Touch, by Gleaming
Great Hunter had to settle for second in the July 4 GIII Hollywood
Juvenile Championship S., Aug. 13 GII Best Pal S. and Sept. 6 GII
Del Mar Futurity, but outfinished favorite Circular Quay to earn
his first
stakes success after a trip to the Midwest. The dark bay was sent
off a lukewarm, second choice in his first try at the Grade I
level. Jockey Victor Espinoza bided his time just off the early
leaders while saving ground, but his strategy nearly backfired when
his mount was caught in tight as they headed into the far turn.
Steadied briefly off heels, Great Hunter fought his way to the
outside for clear sailing and twice brushed with the crowd's
odds-on choice as they turned into the lane, then took over nearing
the wire as Circular Quay stayed on for second.
'He even shocked me today, the way he ran,' said Espinoza, on the
colt for the first time. He was in a little
traffic, but as soon as he got free he settled nicely. I had a
chance to swing to the outside and I got lucky because he got
through on the outside. He was really something else.'
The winner will aim for the Nov. 4 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
Saturday, Oak Tree at Santa Anita.
Date:
09 October 2006