NEWS
J P’s Gusto too strong in Del Mar Futurity
Posted: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 8:52 PM
J P'S GUSTO
Benoit & Associates photo
For video of the Del Mar Futurity, click here.
by Tim Nichols
Entering off victories in three straight stakes races, J P’s Gusto easily handled his first Grade 1 test on Wednesday at Del Mar.
Trained by David Hofmans, Gem Stable’s Successful Appeal ridgling dispatched Comma to the Top entering the stretch and drew off to a 4½-length victory in the $250,000 Del Mar Futurity (G1) on closing day at the seaside track.
J P’s Gusto dueled with Comma to the Top for the lead, laying down fractions of a quarter-mile in :22.72 and a half-mile in :45.46 in the process. Neither contesting the lead nor the speedy fractions affected J P’s Gusto, who effortlessly lengthened his stride when asked by Patrick Valenzuela entering the lane en route to the victory.
“What a runner he is,” Valenzuela said. “I had so much horse under me I couldn’t believe it. David had him ready. I was just lucky to be on him.”
J P’s Gusto covered seven furlongs on the synthetic Polytrack surface in 1:22.95. Jaycito, entering off a runner-up finish in his career debut on August 21, closed strongly for second. Riveting Reason and Indian Winter finished in a dead heat for third.
Since finishing sixth in a 4½-furlong maiden special weight race on May 9 at Hollywood Park in his career debut, J P’s Gusto has discovered his winning stride. He captured the Willard L. Proctor Memorial Stakes by 4 ½ lengths on May 31 at Hollywood off his career debut. He followed with wins in the Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes (G3) at Hollywood on July 5 and Best Pal Stakes (G2) at Del Mar on August 8.
Up next may be a start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) on November 6 at Churchill Downs.
“This was his best effort,” Hofmans said. “I think the mile and a sixteenth [in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile] is within his reach, mainly because of his attitude. He’s very smart and he waits for the rider to give him his cues.”
Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, J P’s Gusto is one of four winners from five starters out of multiple stakes winner Call Her Magic, by Caller I. D.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Tim Nichols is internet content editor of Thoroughbred Times
