Sky Mesa the Headliner in Breeders' Futurity

Sky Mesa, crowned leader of the juvenile division off his victory in the Hopeful (gr. I) at Saratoga, will face five foes on Saturday, in the $400,000 Lane's End Breeders' Futurity (gr. II) at Keeneland, in his final prep for the Breeders Cup Juvenile (gr. I) Oct. 26.

A son of Pulpit, Sky Mesa is perfect in two trips to the post for trainer John Ward Jr. and owner John Oxley. The 1 1/16-mile Futurity will mark his first trip around two turns.

His most accomplished competitor in here is Lone Star Sky, winner of three races in four tries, including the Cradle Stakes at River Downs most recently. The son of Conquistador Cielo has earned better than $250,000 for owner Walter New and trainer Tom Amoss. Like Sky Mesa, Lone Star Sky prefers a stalking style, and has passed the distance test in the Cradle.

Conditioner Bob Baffert is represented here by Truckle Feature, third behind Whywhywhy in the Futurity (gr. I) at Belmont last out. Truckle Feature may try to take advantage of Keeneland's usual kindness to frontrunners. Private Gold has a pair of wins and a pair of seconds in four races, and was runner-up to Vindication in the Kentucky Cup Juvenile (gr. III) last time. The Seeking the Gold colt is a stakes winner at Ellis Park and is conditioned by Pat Byrne.

All colts will carry 121 pounds at Keeneland. The field, in post position order with jockeys:

1) Tito's Beau (Tony D'Amico)
2) Sky Mesa (Edgar Prado)
3) Lone Star Sky (Mark Guidry)
4) Private Gold (Rene Douglas)
5) Truckle Feature (Robby Albarado)
6) Super Frolic (Jon Court)