Theory all class in $200,000 Futurity S. (G3) at Belmont Park

China Horse Club’s and WinStar Farm’s 2-year-old colt Theory was much the best in Saturday’s Futurity S. (G3) at Belmont Park, setting the Gemologist colt up for a possible start in next month’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita Park.

“Today, with the way he ran, the way he galloped out and came back, I think we at least have to sit down and have that discussion,” said trainer Todd Pletcher following the 3 1/2-length score that ran the colt’s record to 2-for-2.

Should he run in the Breeders’ Cup, Theory would join the filly Yellow Agate as one of two Breeder’s Cup starters for top-five First-Crop Sire Gemologist. Yellow Agate was an impressive winner of Belmont’s Frizette S. (G1) on Oct. 8.

When Moves Like Ali broke on top, Theory, under Javier Castellano, took up a good stalking spot in second, where he stayed until moving for the lead after straightening out in the stretch. Theory spurted away from the competition with about a furlong to run, and came home under a hand ride to get the six furlongs in 1:09.91.

“He’s a classy horse, you can put him wherever you want,” said Castellano. “He broke well out of the gate and just took it from there. I loved the way he did, he does everything with such class. He was composed in the post parade. I think you can stretch him out, he’ll appreciate going long. I rode his father, Gemologist, so I enjoyed riding him.”
Winner of his maiden debut at Saratoga, Theory has now earned $169,800.

Pedigree Notes from the TDN

Theory’s stakes-placed dam Gem Sleuth, purchased by agent Chad Schumer for $45,000 while in foal to Paynter at last year’s KEENOV sale, produced a filly by the WinStar Farm stallion earlier this year and was bred back to GI Travers S. dead-heat winner Alpha.

The budding partnership of WinStar Farm and China Horse Club are also represented by fellow unbeaten GII Summer S. hero Good Samaritan (Harlan’s Holiday), who will line up as one of the major players in the upcoming GI Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. China Horse Club also campaigns last weekend’s unbeaten GI Frizette S. heroine Yellow Agate (Gemologist), who became the first stakes winner for Theory’s freshman sire.