Open since 1938, Hollywood Park will prepare to close its doors for good in the coming days, and this weekend will be the last CashCall Futurity (G1) run at the historic track. One two-year-old will etch his name into history on Saturday and join the likes of Ferdinand, Alysheba, A.P. Indy, Thunder Gulch, Real Quiet and Lookin at Lucky, all previous winners of the race.
It is disappointing that points were taken off the table this year for the CashCall, but it should still be a very competitive race as five of the 13 entered were included in the first KDFW pool. Shared Belief enters into the race undefeated from two starts in which he won by a combined 14 3/4 lengths and will likely be the post-time favorite. Bond Holder and Tap It Rich, who were fourth and fifth, respectively in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile figure to challenge the favorite along with Tamarando, the recent winner of the Real Quiet Stakes.
With the Eclipse awards looming there are many lobbying that a win by Shared Belief will give him the two-year-old crown. He would have to run away with the CashCall like he did in his first two races for me to consider jumping on that bandwagon. New Year's Day, the winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile is currently the top two-year-old and would be tough to deny top billing of this class.
CashCall Futurity (G1) 1 1/16m
(7:35 EST)
5 Tap It Rich 9-2
Had one of the more impressive maiden victories of the two-year-olds this year and is still immature as he showed in his fifth-place finish in the Juvenile. Broke slow from the gate and was hung out wide the entire race, but only lost by 3 1/4 lengths. Racing on a synthetic surface for the first time can always be a concern, but this ridgling looks to have talent and it is just a matter of time before he puts it all together. I'll continue to back him until he gives me reason not to.
2 Tamarando 4-1
Most experienced of the group has seven starts already. Winner of both the Del Mar Futurity (G1) and Real Quiet has finished no worse than fourth and will be coming late to try to run down the leaders. Tough to pick against here.
6 Shared Belief 7-2
Enters undefeated in two starts with a combined winning margin of 14 3/4 lengths and did so in impressive times. Has been working lights out since his victory in the Hollywood Prevue (G3) but is stepping up in class. Going around two turns for the first time will be the question mark here. Like him to be in contention.
3 Bond Holder 8-1
Winner of the FrontRunner (G1) will try to find his way through traffic from the back of the pack. Managed fourth in the Juvenile but didn't have much left in the stretch. Still room for improvement and has been game in just about all six starts.
$56 CashCall Bankroll
$20 W: 5
$2 EX BX: 5,2,6 = $12
$1 TRI BX: 5,2,6,3 = $24
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