Dugout gallops away with New York Breeders’ Futurity, keeps record perfect

By Sarah Mace

In his most recent race, Dugout (Adios Charlie), won the Funny Cide Stakes by a nose over Bankit at Saratoga on August 24 in a nail-biter. The principals knocked heads from the backstretch to finish line, and the issue was decided by a photo.

Saturday’s $200,288 New York Breeders’ Futurity, Finger Lakes richest stakes race, was an entirely different story. In command from the start, Dugout powered his way to a front-running 3-length victory to go a perfect three-for-three in his young career for owners Richard Ravin, Patricia`s Hope LLC and Larry Rivelli. Ravin and Rivelli bred Dugout and Rivelli is his trainer.

Heavily favored at odds of 2-5 in the field of six New York-bred juveniles under Jose Valdivia Jr., Dugout reverted to the tactics he used in his July 23 debut, which he won gate-to-wire by seven-plus lengths. The grey exited his far outside post guns blazing and tail streaming and, in no time, crossed over assumed command.

Gobbling up ground with powerful strides, Dugout ran the first quarter-mile in 22.10 and half in 45.27, while second choice True Gold (3-1) chased a length behind in second.

In upper stretch, Dugout extended his lead under a vigorous hand ride and, in the final furlong, Valdivia gave him a couple reminders to keep to business. In the final strides Dugout veered out a couple of paths, but no harm, no foul – there was nobody in the neighborhood for him to bother. Dugout notched the win by three lengths in a final time of 1:10.66

True Gold, second throughout, got the money for place, followed 1 3/4 lengths back by La Fuerza, winner of the Aspirant at Finger Lakes on September 8. Completing the order of finish were Bourbon Mission, Possetizzly and Queens Dude. [VIDEO REPLAY[3]]

A first homebred for Ravin and Rivelli and foaled at Sequel Stallions in Hudson, Dugout is the most recent foal out of Rooney Doodle, an unplaced California-bred daughter of Lit de Justice who has produced six winners from six foals to start. Dugout’s full-sister Jean Elizabeth is a stakes winner at Hawthorne, and half-sister Hollarforadollar is stakes placed. The mare has been bred back this year to Adios Charlie.

From his trio of victories, Dugout has earned $271,423.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2018/09/29/dugoutny-breeders-futurity/

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