A pair of Florida-breds will take another crack at two-time graded stakes winner J P’s Gusto in the $250,000 Del Mar Futurity (G1) on Wednesday. Western Mood, a son of Stonehedge Farm South stallion West Acre, and Comma to the Top, sired by Journeyman Stud stallion Bwana Charlie, each will try for his first stakes victory in the seven-furlong test.
Western Mood and Comma to the Top faced J P’s Gusto in the Best Pal Stakes (G2) at Del Mar on Aug. 8. J P’s Gusto won that race by half a length over Sway Away, with Western Mood finishing third, four lengths behind the winner, and Comma to the Top 2 ¾ lengths farther back in fourth.
Western Mood, bred by Gilbert Campbell at Stonehedge Farm South in Williston, also faced J P’s Gusto in the Hollywood Juvenile Championship (G3) in July, finishing second, just a neck behind that rival.
Western Mood, trained and co-owned by Jerry Hollendorfer, was a $50,000 purchase at OBS in March. Prior to his two tries in graded stakes races, he broke his maiden at first asking, rallying to take a $43,000 maiden special weight race by 1 ¾ lengths at Hollywood Park in June. The colt has earned $62,600 through three starts.
Joel Rosario has been aboard Western Mood in each of his starts and retains the mount. The pair will break from the No. 7 post in a field of 11 juveniles.
Comma to the Top drew the No. 9 post and will have Corey Nakatani aboard for the first time. A $22,000 purchase at OBS in April, the gelding is trained by Peter Miller for Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum and Kevi Tsujihara.
Prior to the Best Pal, Comma to the Top broke his maiden in his third career start, romping to an 8 ¾-length score in a $50,000 maiden claimer at Del Mar in July. Bred by Morriston’s Richard and Linda Thompson, Comma to the Top has earned $29,600 through four starts.
J P’s Gusto finished sixth in his career debut but is perfect in three stakes races since, having captured the $66,000 Willard L. Proctor Memorial at Hollywood Park in May before stepping up to graded stakes races. He’ll have Patrick Valenzuela aboard for trainer David Hofmans when he breaks from the No. 4 post.
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Photo by Benoit
