Practical Move rallied boldly along the inside to seize the lead in upper stretch and drew away to a 3 1/4-length victory in the $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), springing a 10.60-1 upset to join the Kentucky Derby picture. Ramon Vasquez was up on the Tim Yakteen-trained juvenile colt, and Practical Move picked up 10 points for winning the Road to the Kentucky Derby series qualifier.
Breaking his maiden via disqualification at a two-turn mile two starts previously, Practical Move improved to 2-for-2 at two-turn distances. He completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.65, leaving a favorable impression in advance of his three-year-old campaign.
One of only two runners in the five-horse field eligible to receive points, which were offered on a 10-4-3-2-1 scale, Practical Move is owned by Pierre Jean Amestoy Jr., Leslie Amestoy, and Roger Beasley.
The bay youngster was exiting a third in the seven-furlong Bob Hope (G3) at Del Mar, and he’s now earned $194,200 from a 5-2-1-2 record.
Carmel Road, the 9-2 third choice, established early fractions :23.61, :46.66, and 1:10.35 on a short lead. After being overhauled by Practical Move in upper stretch, he easily held second by 4 1/4 lengths.
Fort Bragg came next in third. It was two more lengths to Tall Boy, and 2-5 favorite Arabian Lion, who came under a rider on the far turn before giving way, trailed.
Carmel Road, Fort Bragg, and Arabian Lion won’t receive any points since trainer Bob Baffert is under suspension from Churchill Downs Inc.
A $320,000 OBS April two-year-old purchase, Practical Move was bred by Chad Brown and Sol Kumin’s Head of Plains Partners, and he hails from a stamina-laced female family. From the stakes-placed Ack Naughty, a daughter of 2005 Belmont (G1) hero Afleet Alex, Practical Move is closely related to Hawthorne Gold Cup (G2) and Pimlico Special (G3) winner Commissioner, runner-up in the 2015 Belmont.
