Grade 1 Los Alamitos Futurity Features Future Stars

Baffert, who traditionally excels with juvenile runners, won the 2014 Los Alamitos Futurity as Dortmund managed to stay unbeaten, winning a thrilling photo finish. This year, Baffert has Mor Spirit (8/5) and Toews On Ice (7/5) in what could very well come down to a match race between stablemates. Mor Spirit ran a fine second in the November 28 Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs while racing away from Santa Anita for the first time and encountering a sloppy track. The son of Eskendereya was beaten just a length and three quarters by the well-regarded, and more experienced Airoforce who finished second in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Mor Spirit has one victory in three starts.

Plenty to like about Toews

Toews on Ice is the more experienced of the Baffert pair, and rides a three-race win streak into the Futurity including the Grade 3 Bob Hope November 14 at Del Mar in his last outing. With three wins in five starts the son of Archarcharch is flourishing, but will need to prove himself while racing around two turns for the first time in his career.

Frank Conversation switches surfaces

Frank Conversation (8/1) is an interesting item for trainer Doug O’Neill while switching from turf to dirt. The son of Quality Road is bred well from both surfaces and has shown improvement in his last two starts.