August 2, 2024
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
The Future is Now
Bright Future, who’s more than fit the bill through nine professional starts (5-0-2), is all about the here and now ahead of the $1 million Whitney (G1) at Saratoga.
It’s been a successful three-year run for the multiple graded stakes winner, who got off on the right foot with a 4 ¾-length score in his first taste of action on Mar. 19, 2022.
While the ship didn’t sail as smoothly in Bright Future’s graded debut (eighth in last March’s Grade 2 Brooklyn), the Todd Pletcher trainee rebounded with an exhilarating victory in the $1 million Gold Cup Stakes (G1).
Fresh off a 1 ¾-length clearance in the Salvator Mile (G3) on Jun. 15, Bright Future is a name to watch this Saturday.
Still Searching
The second of three Grade 1 tilts scheduled for Saratoga’s Saturday card, the $600,000 Saratoga Derby (G1T), is set to feature a deep field of eight 3-year-old’s.
Amongst the group of sophomores is 3-1 challenger Cugino, who can track down his first career graded title after missing out twice before.
After narrowly missing out on the Transylvania (G3) by a nose, Cugino’s connections saw enough to turn up the difficulty once more. But the decision didn’t pay off as the Irad Ortiz Jr. mount missed the podium (fourth).
However, Cugino’s prospects are trending up heading into the 1 3/16-mile derby following a dominant 4 ¼-length triumph in the Audubon last time out.
Through six career starts, the Claude McGaughey III trainee sports a 2-3-0 line.
Come Out Swingin’
Emery is putting up Vladimir Guerrero Jr.-type numbers, going 4-for-5 to begin her career.
The 3-year-old filly can reach ‘double-header Vlad’ territory with a win in the third and final Grade 1 dash at Saratoga on Saturday, the $500,000 Test (G1).
Lining up against five other title contenders, including 7-5 favorite Ways and Means, Emery at 5-2, represents the Flavien Prat mount’s greatest threat according to oddsmakers.
And for good reason.
Trained by Brad Cox, Emery has found the winner’s circle in three consecutive contests, namely the Overnight and Victory Ride (G3).
The only blemish on Emery’s record, a fourth in the Frizette (G1), came just in her second ever start.
And the Award Goes to…
Like Matthew Broderick, Kaitlin Olson, and John Turturro, who all earned 2024 Emmy nominations in the Best Guest Actor/Actress categories, Cameo Performance can leave a lasting mark on the Ellis Park audience with a captivating performance in the $250,000 Nashville Derby.
Coming off the most impressive effort of his young career, a hard-fought second in the Marine Stakes (G3) at Woodbine, Cameo Performance is primed for a breakthrough this Saturday.
The Marine showing was a welcomed sight for the Brendan Walsh charge after a tough fifth in the Audubon Stakes on July 1.
Sporting a 4: 1-2-0 lifetime line, Cameo Performance enters the Nashville at 7-2.
Don’t Test Me
Dragoon Guard has aced every test so far in 2024, going a perfect 3-for-3.
The 3-year-old colt’s next challenge comes in the form of this Sunday’s $500,000 West Virginia Derby (G3) at Mountaineer Race Track.
While progress is always the goal, Dragoon Guard’s connections surely won’t complain if he simply stays on par with previous efforts, particularly the Indiana Derby (G3).
Under the guidance of veteran rider Florent Geroux, Dragoon Guard led gate-to-wire to capture the 1 1/16-mile affair by a clean 2 ½ lengths.
A repeat effort in the West Virginia Derby would not only hand Dragoon Guard his second graded trophy, but also push him over the $600,000 career purse earnings mark.
