Laurel Futurity

The top three contenders for Saturday’s $100,000 Laurel Futurity (G3), going
1 1/16 miles at Pimlico, are all on the fence and could skip the race in favor
of next Saturday’s Remsen S. (G2) at Aqueduct, which offers $100,000 more in
purse money.

Trainer Todd Pletcher entered the uncoupled entry of FUNK (Unbridled’s Song)
and KILLENAULE (Fusaichi Pegasus), but said he would run just one, with the
other being pointed toward the Remsen. Trainer Shug McGaughey entered the
promising DEFER (Danzig), but said he may keep the colt in New York for a tilt
in the nine-furlong Remsen.

Be that as it may, Funk, who comes off an impressive score in his first start
around two turns, rates a slight edge. The bay colt dueled from between foes
before drawing off by 7 1/4 lengths going one mile at the Meadowlands, earning a
92 BRIS Late Pace rating. Before that, he broke his maiden by a widening 5 3/4
lengths in his debut at Saratoga, then got away slowly before finishing third
against winners in his next start at Monmouth Park. John Velazquez will ride
whichever horse Pletcher starts.

Defer broke his maiden at first asking at Belmont Park, defeating the
well-regarded Apprentice (A.P. Indy), who came back to win. The bay colt pressed
the early fractions, offered a bid three wide, then finished a non-threatening
second to the undefeated Rockport Harbor (Unbridled’s Song) in the one-turn,
one-mile Nashua S. (G3) at Aqueduct. Rockport Harbor is scheduled to make his
next start in the Remsen. Defer adds first-time Lasix and gets a rider change to
Jerry Bailey for the Laurel Futurity. He is a major threat if he runs.

The consistent, hard-knocking Killenaule won his last three starts around two
turns, including a pair of 1 1/16-mile stakes races at the Meadowlands and
Delaware Park. Depending on who shows up, he could get tested for class, but is
a major player nonetheless.

MONSTER CHASER (Meadow Monster) has been closing nicely from off the pace
going six furlongs and exits a daylight victory against fellow Maryland-bred
stakes foes. He picks up seven pounds but could factor for a minor award on the
stretch out.

ELUSIVE THUNDER (Thunder Gulch) dueled for the early lead before holding on
well for second to Killenaule in the 1 1/16-mile Storm Cat S. last out. He
figures to be an early pace factor and could light the board, depending on the
composition of the field. The King Leatherbury-trained entry of MALIBU MOONSHINE
(Malibu Moon) and WOODY’S APACHE (Cryptoclearance) are both capable of earning a
slice on the upgrade in company.