Forte outduels Loggins in Breeders' Futurity

Oct 08, 2022 Vance Hanson/Brisnet.com

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Forte and Loggins put on a show before a
sun-drenched crowd at Keeneland on Saturday, dueling through the short stretch
in the $600,000 Breeders' Futurity (G1). At the wire, it was Forte who had his
neck in front under Irad Ortiz Jr.

The pair brushed enough inside the final furlong to prompt Florent Geroux,
aboard 3-2 favorite Loggins, to lodge a claim of foul against Forte. The
objection was eventually disallowed.

Second choice in a full field of 14 juveniles, Forte returned $10.86 after
covering 1 1/16 miles over a fast track in 1:44.74. Loggins was 6 3/4 lengths
clear of Red Route One, a 59-1 outsider who won a three-way photo over Instant
Coffee and Newgate.

Completing the order of finish were Lost Ark, Two Phil's, Honed, Funtastic
Again, Frosted Departure, Powerful, Bourbon Bash, Carmel Road, and Good Heart.

Forte earned 10 qualifying points toward the 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) with
the victory. Loggins earned four points, Red Route One three points, and Instant
Coffee two points. Newgate was not awarded any points due to trainer Bob
Baffert's current suspension from racing at Churchill Downs.

Owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables, Forte is trained by Todd
Pletcher, who was winning the Breeders' Futurity for the third time following
the back-to-back wins by We Miss Artie and Carpe Diem in 2013 and 2014.

Forte moves on to next month's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Keeneland with
three wins from four starts. A maiden winner at Belmont Park on debut, he
finished fourth as the favorite in the Sanford (G3) prior to rebounding in the
Sept. 5 Hopeful (G1) at Saratoga by three lengths.

Bred in Kentucky by South Gate Farm, Forte was sold for $110,000 at Keeneland
September. By Violence, he is out of the multiple stakes winner Queen Caroline,
by Blame. Forte hails from the same female family as champions Essential Quality
and Folklore.