Closing Day Races by Blood-Horse Magazine

J P's Gusto looks to extend streak in Del Mar Futurity; Dancing in Silks returns

J P's Gusto has won both on and off the pace (Benoit Photos) Best Pal S. (G2) winner J P'S GUSTO (Successful Appeal), who currently ranks as the West Coast's leading juvenile male, will look to retain that status in Wednesday's $250,000 Del Mar Futurity (G1). The David Hofmans pupil will bid for his fourth consecutive victory in the seven-furlong test, the customary closing-day feature at the seaside track. J P's Gusto first stamped himself as a two-year-old to follow with a maiden-breaking romp in the Willard L. Proctor Memorial S. at Hollywood Park. Next time out he outdueled WESTERN MOOD (West Acre) by a neck in the Hollywood Juvenile Championship S. (G3). Both victories came from just off the pace with Joe Talamo. Patrick Valenzuela picked up the mount from the injured Talamo for the Best Pal, and J P's Gusto showed a new dimension in his Del Mar debut. Leading throughout from his rail post, he held off the closing Sway Away (Afleet Alex) by a half-length. Finishing another 3 1/2 lengths behind in third was Western Mood, who couldn't get nearly as close to J P's Gusto as he did at Hollywood.

J P's Gusto, the 122-pound highweight, probably won't find himself on the early lead for Valenzuela this time. The versatile ridgling is drawn in post 4, outside the expected speed.
With Sway Away sidelined by a knee issue, the only other Best Pal alumni to try J P's Gusto again are Western Mood and fourth-placer COMMA TO THE TOP (Bwana Charlie).
The Jerry Hollendorfer-trained Western Mood, who reunites with Joel Rosario, stands to benefit from the better pace scenario on tap, as will his promising stablemate INDIAN WINTER (Indian Charlie). In his debut maiden win at Del Mar, Indian Winter ran down JAYCITO (Victory Gallop) by a half-length, with the top two pulling well clear of the rest. The Hollendorfer runners will stand side by side in the gate: Western Mood will break from post 7 and Indian Winter will leave post 8 beneath a returning Rafael Bejarano.
Recent import MAJOR ART (GB) (Compton Place) is the only entrant with experience going seven furlongs. Formerly trained in England by Richard Hannon, the chestnut raced exclusively at this distance on the turf. Major Art romped by five lengths at Lingfield in his second start and tried stakes company in his next two, winding up third in the Vintage S. (Eng-G2) and most recently sixth in the Francois Boutin S. on very soft ground at Deauville. His English form suggests that he'll make his presence felt, if he handles the Polytrack in his bow for Eric Kruljac.
Trainer Jeff Bonde pitched ROAD READY (More Than Ready) into the Lost in the Fog S. at Golden Gate in his first career outing, and the $300,000 Barretts March purchase justified that placement by rallying to a three-quarter length victory. The gray has not raced since that June 12 introduction, however, and takes a class hike off a nearly three-month holiday. Road Ready must also work out a sensible trip from post 10 in an 11-horse field.
Impressive maiden winner MCKENZIES WAY (Wildcat Heir), who fought off early pace pressure en route to a 4 1/4-length triumph over the track, figures to be involved in the early scramble, along with the rail-drawn Jaycito.
Conspicuously absent from the Del Mar Futurity is Bob Baffert, who has trained a record nine winners of the event. After dominating the race from 1996 through 2002, he has also saddled the past two winners, champions Midshipman (2008) and Lookin at Lucky (Smart Strike) (2009). Baffert has made no secret of his dislike of the Polytrack surface this meet, and reportedly plans to ship some of his best-regarded juveniles back East.
Earlier on Wednesday, reigning Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner DANCING IN SILKS (Black Minnaloushe) reappears from a six-month layoff to defend his title in the $75,000 Pirate's Bounty S. One year ago, the Carla Gaines charge used the six-furlong dash as a stepping stone to photo-finish victories in the California Cup Sprint H. and the Breeders' Cup Sprint. Since his 25-1 upset in the latter event, Dancing in Silks has finished third in the Palos Verdes H. (G2) and a disappointing fifth in the San Carlos H. (G2), but has been firing bullets in advance of his return.
Only five have signed on to challenge Dancing in Silks, including impressive allowance winner SPANIARD (Candy Ride [Arg]) from the Baffert barn; GATO GO WIN (City Place), the near-miss runner-up in the Potrero Grande H. (G2) in his last attempt on synthetic; and EL SCORPIO (Vindication), who brings a two-race winning streak into his stakes debut for Doug O'Neill.
Kicking off the closing-day stakes action is the $75,000 C.E.R.F. S. for distaffers, also at six furlongs. Baffert holds a strong hand with MOTHER RUTH (Speightstown), a seven-length heroine of the Valid Expectations S. who comes off a decent fifth in the Princess Rooney H. (G1), and recent allowance/optional claiming winner FUND RAISER (Harlan's Holiday), who was third in a tough renewal of the Desert Stormer H. earlier this summer. Also worthy of respect are Daisycutter H. victress BONIFACIO (Even the Score) and Culver City H. near-misser MINUTE LIMIT (Ire) (Pivotal), both on the Team Valor roster.