The off-the-turf Futurity Stakes Oct. 8 at Aqueduct Racetrack lost not only its grade 3 status but also its place as a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T).
Atlantic Six Racing’s Book’em Danno , a gelding by Bucchero who is undefeated in three starts, won the Futurity by 6 1/2 lengths. It was his second stakes win following his success in the Smoke Glacken Stakes Sept. 9 at Monmouth Park.
According to Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series rules, “if a designated Breeders’ Cup Challenge turf race is taken off the turf, due to unsafe racing conditions, the horse that wins the ‘off the turf’ race will not receive an automatic qualifying position and will not receive the starting fees (the total of pre-entry and entry fees) to enter the Championships in the applicable Turf Division race; provided, however, that Breeders’ Cup Limited (BCL) may, at its option, reinstate the ‘Win and You’re In’ status of the ‘off the turf’ race. The decision to take a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Division turf race off the turf course is under the sole discretion of the racetrack/racing association, not BCL.”
BloodHorse inquired about whether the race had been reviewed, and heard from Breeders’ Cup that the Futurity automatically lost its Challenge designation when moved to the dirt per the rules. The Breeders’ Cup Field Selection Panel evaluated the race and determined the Challenge designation will not be reinstated.
The American Graded Stakes Committee reviews graded stakes taken off the turf and assesses whether the grade should be restored. Even if the grade of the Futurity is restored, this decision does not affect the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series status. Currently this year’s edition of the Futurity is considered a listed black-type stakes.
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