The Macho Uno colt is now two-for-two on the Arlington Polytrack after winning his debut in a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight event July 21. The stretch-out to the one-turn mile distance in just his second start worked out for for the George "Rusty" Arnold trainee. Wicked Style raced with Lasix for the first time in the Arlington-Washington Futurity.
Robby Albarado had the chestnut driving all-out for the wire after Riley Tucker put a head in front mid-stretch. The winning time was 1:36 2/5.
After being rambunctious in the post parade, Wicked Style raced along the inside as part of a three-horse speed battle early on, sitting just off fractions of :23 2/5, :46 3/5 and 1:11 1/5 set by even-money favorite Gold Coyote.
“He finally relaxed for me the last couple of minutes (of the post parade),” Albarado said. “Circumstances forced me to keep him closer than I wanted early. He’s a nice colt.”
Wicked Style took over from Gold Coyote in the stretch but quickly came under pressure from Riley Tucker, who had recovered after hitting the gate at the start and charged to the front from mid-pack for Rene Douglas.
Douglas said trainer Bill Mott's assistant told him to avoid taking the lead too early. “I waited as long as I thought I could, and then I got the lead and he relaxed a little. He fought back at the end, but he wasn’t good enough today,” said Douglas.
It was another two lengths back to third-place finisher Sebastian County, a full brother to 2003 Futurity hero Cactus Ridge.
T. J.’s Posse, Gold Coyote, Celina Slew and Blackberry Road completed the order. Texas Wildcatter scratched.
Gold Coyote, looking for his fourth straight win, faded in the stretch, beaten by nearly 10 lengths. The favorite carried 122 pounds, five more than the winner.
“He had everything his way early,” said jockey Ramsey Zimmerman, who rode Gold Coyote. “He just didn’t have the punch at the end that he’s shown before.”
Ashbrook Farm's Wicked Style earned $118,200 from the $198,500 total purse that included $50,000 from the Breeders’ Cup Fund. That pushed his bankroll to $135,000, while keeping his record perfect in two starts. Adena Springs bred Wicked Style, who is out of the Trempolino mare Deviletta, in Florida. The colt was a $75,000 Ocala purchase in April.
Sent off as the fourth choice, he rewarded his backers with $18, $6.80 and $4. Riley Tucker paid $4.80 and $3.80. Sebastian County returned $4.20.
(Chart
, Equibase)