FrontRunner Stakes

Notes:
As the second race in both the Breeders Cup Juvenile Challenge and the Road to the Kentucky Derby, much more than prestige goes to the winner of this G1 contest. With Win and You re In status, the FrontRunner offers the victor a fees paid entry and travel stipend to the Nov. 1 race at Santa Anita, as well as 10 qualifying points to run for the roses next May 2 at Churchill Downs. Those who complete the superfecta will also earn Derby qualifying points on a 4-2-1 basis plus unrestricted stakes earnings that are used to break ties in the system. G1 Del Mar Futurity hero American Pharoah, whose 101 Beyer Speed Figure earned in that event is the highest of any juvenile so far this year, is one of four exiting the closing day feature on an all weather surface. Calculator, a maiden with three starts on his resume, was no threat to American Pharoah when finishing 4 3/4 lengths back in second but clearly best of the rest in the Futurity. G2 Best Pal S. champ Skyway was a bust as the Futurity favorite when running fourth 13 lengths behind American Pharoah. Del Mar maiden winner Red Button was another three lengths back as the sixth of nine. Daddy D T and Sky Preacher both move to dirt after being separated by half a length when completing the exacta in the grassy Oak Tree Juvenile Turf S. on Sept. 3 at Del Mar. Lord Nelson, the winner of his only start on July 19 at Del Mar, was slated to compete in the Futurity but withheld when trainer Bob Baffert wasn t pleased with his preparations. Conquest Panthera overcame a troubled start to break his maiden first out at Del Mar on Aug. 24 and was somewhat flattered when the third-place finisher returned to score at Zia Park earlier this week. Texas Red needed three tries to find the winner s circle but did so in his first route race on Aug. 20 at Del Mar. Reflected Star was up the track behind Lord Nelson in his debut then dropped into a MC 62500 to earn his diploma over the same track.