CashCall Futurity Results and Analysis

by Patricia Woo | Dec 20 2010

On Saturday, Dec. 18, Comma to the Top and J P's Gusto were among the 10 juveniles vying for the $750,000 Gr. 1 CashCall Futurity title at Hollywood Park.

Though he did not have the best of starts, Comma to the Top finished the best in the Gr. 1 CashCall Futurity. The race favorite threw a shoe between the paddock and the starting gate which delayed the start of the 1 1/16 mile race for 25 minutes. But with Corey Nakatani aboard, Comma to the Top was clearly ready for the race, breaking well and dueling with pacesetter High Level Jeff early on. On the second turn, Comma to the Top was asked for more and he began to edge away from High Level Jeff, who faded nearing the stretch and was eased. Meanwhile, J P's Gusto sat in third along the rail but as the field moved into the second turn, he and jockey Joe Talamo were caught in traffic and forced to find a different path – this time through the middle in deep stretch. And Rustler Hustler, ridden by Ramon Dominguez, swung three-wide coming off the turn in a desperate bid to catch the leader. But Comma to the Top had taken command of the race and would hold on for the win in a time of 1:44.72.

J P's Gusto showed excellent rally despite getting pinched back and was second to the wire, while Clubhouse Ride and Patrick Valenzuela, who had a less-than-ideal trip, managed to get up for third, edging out Gourmet Dinner. Riveting Reason, Rustler Hustler, Slammer Time, Ronin Dax, Industry Leader and High Level Jeff completed the order of finish.

With the $375,000 winner's share of the purse, Comma to the Top is all but guaranteed enough graded stakes winnings to earn a berth to the 2011 Kentucky Derby. The gelded son of Bwana Charlie will end his juvenile campaign with $551,600. Trained by Peter Miller, Comma to the Top has now won five in a row, including the Gr. 3 Generous Stakes on Nov. 27 and the Real Quiet Stakes on Nov. 6.

J P's Gusto also impressed in the CashCall Futurity – this son of Successful Appeal, trained by David Hofmans – improved to 8-4-2-0 on the year with $527,360 in earnings. Winner of the Gr. 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept 8, J P's Gusto will also be a horse to watch during the lead-up to the Kentucky Derby.

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