Big Brown colt Dortmund will firm even further for the 2015 Kentucky Derby if he rises to the challenge in the Group 1 Los Alamitos Futurity (1700m) this Saturday.
Dortmund (2c Big Brown – Our Josephina by Tale of the Cat) tumbled in from 50-1 to a 9-1 pre-post favourite for the Kentucky Derby after winning his first two starts by a combined 12 lengths at Santa Anita and Churchill Downs.
The big chestnut makes his stakes debut in the $500,000 event previously known as the Hollywood CashCall Futurity. Trainer Bob Baffert has won it six times and he’s also saddled up three Kentucky Derby winners – Silver Charm, Real Quiet and War Emblem.
Real Quiet completed the CashCall Futurity / Kentucky Derby double in 1997-98.
Dortmund’s sire Big Brown won the 2008 Kentucky Derby before Vinery Stud began shuttling him to Australia. He is from the stakes wining mare Our Josephina and was a $140,000 buy for Kaleem Shah at the Fasig-Tipton 2YO Midlantic Sale in May.
A couple of impressive work-outs at Santa Anita will ensure Dortmund starts a short-priced favourite this Saturday. He most recently reeled off 1000 metres in 60 seconds which was the fastest of the morning on Monday.
Hardest to beat will be black-type colts Mr. Z and No Problem.
Mr. Z (Malibu Moon) is trained by D. Wayne Lukas and has been placed in the G3 Sanford Stakes, G2 Saratoga Special, G1 Keeneland Futurity and G3 Delta Downs Jackpot.
No Problem (Munnings) won a Santa Anita maiden prior to a Group 3 victory in the Bob Hope Classic at Del Mar.
The Futurity is part of the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” series and the winner receives 10 points toward a spot in the starting gates at Churchill Downs on May 2.
