There were five 2-year-olds entered in the $196,000 Futurity Stakes Sept. 29 at Belmont Park, but it turned out to be a two-horse race as fast-developing In Trouble topped favored Corfu for a comfortable 2 1/4-length victory.
With Joe Rocco Jr. aboard, In Trouble ran six furlongs in 1:09.64, nearly a second faster than 2-year-old fillies ran in the Matron Stakes (gr. II) a race earlier.
In Trouble, winner of a key maiden special weight heat Aug. 10 at Saratoga Race Course in his debut, is now 2-for-2 for trainer Tony Dutrow and owner Team D.
"Having done this a long time, I was looking forward to today," Dutrow said. "I was feeling that we have a talented horse and I'm not surprised at what I saw. I wasn't predicting this, but I'm not surprised. He's pretty good."
Leaving from the rail, In Trouble, the 5-2 second choice, had the lead out of the gate before overtaken by Corfu, the 9-5 pick with John Velazquez aboard. Corfu, who stumbled a bit out of the gate, clipped off quick quarter mile splits of :22.09 and :44.75 while opening a 2 1/2-length advantage over In Trouble as the rest of field fell in behind.
In Trouble responded to urging from Rocco to challenge on the outside in the stretch, reached even terms with the Corfu past the furlong marker. He took over with a sixteenth of a mile to run and was kept to his task by Rocco while widening his lead to the wire.
Rocco said he was able to get In Trouble, a son of Tiz Wonderful , to rate kindly before launching the winning bid.
"He broke really sharp, and I'd rather be outside dictating when we can move than be inside and be under someone else who can force us," Rocco said. "It worked out when I saw I could get behind (Corfu) and get outside of him, that's when I went outside and did it."
Dutrow said In Trouble is to point for the Nashua Stakes Nov. 3 at Aqueduct Racetrack.
"This was the second race of his life and he was able to relax and give up the lead and finish up against quality horses," Dutrow said. "I think that's a big statement for him."
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Location: Aqueduct Racetrack
Distance: 1 mile (8 furlongs)
Track: Dirt, left-handed
Qualification: Two-year-olds
Weight: Assigned
Purse: $100,000-added
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Avery Island | Joe Bravo | Kiaran McLaughlin | Godolphin | 1:37.58 |
| 2016 | Hemsworth | Antonio Gallardo | Thomas Albertrani | Godolphin | 1:38.70 |
| 2015 | Mohaymen | Junior Alvarado | Kiaran McLaughlin | Shadwell Stable | 1:36.01 |
| 2014 | Blofeld | John Velazquez | Todd Pletcher | Glencrest Farm/JSM Equine | 1:38.89 |
| 2013 | Cairo Prince | Luis Saez | Kiaran McLaughlin | Namcook Stables/Braverman/et al | 1:37.59 |
| 2012 | Violence | Javier Castellano | Todd Pletcher | Black Rock Stables | 1:35.32 |
| 2011 | Vexor | David Cohen | John Kimmel | Goldmark Farm | 1:10.71 |
| 2010 | To Honor and Serve | Jose Lezcano | William I. Mott | Live Oak Plantation | 1:35.86 |
| 2009 | Buddy's Saint | Jose Lezcano | Bruce N. Levine | Kingfield Stables | 1:35.67 |
| 2008 | Break Water Edison | Alan Garcia | John Kimmel | Eli Gindi | 1:35.86 |
| 2007 | Etched | Alan Garcia | Kiaran McLaughlin | Darley Stable | 1:36.96 |
| 2006 | Day Pass | John R. Velazquez | Kiaran McLaughlin | Darley Stable | 1:36.09 |
| 2005 | Bluegrass Cat | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | WinStar Farm | 1:38.02 |
| 2004 | Rockport Harbor | Stewart Elliott | John Servis | Fox Hill Farms Inc. | 1:36.60 |
| 2003 | Read the Footnotes | Jerry D. Bailey | Richard Violette Jr. | Klaravich Stables | 1:36.40 |
| 2002 | Added Edge | Patrick Husbands | Mark Casse | Team Valor | 1:36.60 |
| 2001 | Listen Here | Jerry D. Bailey | William I. Mott | Kim Nardelli | 1:37.60 |
| 2000 | Ommadon | Aaron Gryder | Thomas M. Walsh | Sorin Stables | 1:36.60 |
| 1999 | Mass Market | Mike E. Smith | Ben W. Perkins Jr. | New Farm | 1:38.60 |
| 1998 | Doneraile Court | Jerry D. Bailey | Nicholas P. Zito | J. Magnier | 1:36.00 |
| 1997 | Coronado's Quest | Mike E. Smith | C. R. McGaughey III | Stuart S. Janney III | 1:37.00 |
| 1996 | Jules | Jose Santos | Alan E. Goldberg | Jayeff B Stables | 1:36.80 |
| 1995 | No Race | ||||
| 1994 | Devious Course | Frank Alvarado | H. James Bond | Rudlein Stable | 1:37.40 |
| 1993 | Popol's Gold | Herb McCauley | William H. Turner Jr. | Stephen Stavrides | 1:46.60 |
| 1992 | Dalhart | Mike E. Smith | Thomas Bohannan | Loblolly Stable | 1:44.40 |
| 1991 | Pine Bluff | Craig Perret | Thomas Bohannan | Loblolly Stable | 1:46.00 |
| 1990 | Kyle's Our Man | Jerry D. Bailey | John M. Veitch | Darby Dan Farm | 1:45.40 |
| 1989 | Champagneforashley | Jacinto Vasquez | Howard M. Tesher | Lions Head Farm | 1:45.20 |
| 1988 | Traskwood | Angel Cordero Jr. | George R. Arnold II | Loblolly Stable | 1:45.20 |
| 1987 | Cougarized | Jose Santos | D. Wayne Lukas | Lloyd R. French Jr. | 1:46.00 |
| 1986 | Bold Summit | Chris Antley | Richard E. Dutrow Jr. | Alvin J. Akman | 1:45.00 |
| 1985 | Raja's Revenge | Robbie Davis | Frank LaBoccetta | Edward Anchel | 1:44.40 |
| 1984 | Stone White | Robbie Davis | Gilbert Puentes | Gilbert Puentes | 1:38.20 |
| 1983 | Don Rickles | Angel Cordero Jr. | John Parisella | Theodore M. Sabarese | 1:38.40 |
| 1982 | I Enclose | Ruben Hernandez | Edward I. Kelly | Brookfield Farms | 1:37.60 |
| 1981 | Our Escapade | Don MacBeth | Roger Laurin | Reginald N. Webster | 1:36.80 |
| 1980 | A Run | Chris McCarron | Larry S. Barrera | Arron U. Jones | 1:37.20 |
| 1979 | Googoplex | Laffit Pincay Jr. | Pancho Martin | Robert N. Lehmann | 1:36.40 |
| 1978 | Instrument Landing | Jeffrey Fell | David A. Whiteley | Pen-Y-Bryn Farm | 1:37.00 |
| 1977 | Quadratic | Eddie Maple | Woody Stephens | August Belmont IV | 1:35.40 |
| 1976 | Nearly On Time | Jacinto Vazquez | Leroy Jolley | Mrs. Moody Jolley | 1:35.60 |
| 1975 | Lord Henribee | Eddie Maple | William H. Turner Jr. | Milton Ritzenberg | 1:35.60 |
