Liaison got an ideal trip to win the $750,000 CashCall Futurity (G1) by a neck Dec. 17 at Hollywood Park, putting the 2-year-old squarely in the picture for next year's Kentucky Derby (G1) discussion. In the process, Liaison became the sixth Futurity winner for his trainer Bob Baffert, who trains the colt for Arnold Zetcher.
Baffert’s previous CashCall victories included Real Quiet (1997), Captain Steve (1999), Point Given (2000), Pioneerof the Nile (2008) and Lookin At Lucky (2009).
Saving ground while racing just behind three pacesetters, Liaison angled outside for room entering the stretch, gained the advantage with less than a furlong to run and held off a from-the-back-of-the-pack surge of Rousing Sermon, who also finished second to Liaison in Hollywood's $100,000 Real Quiet S. Nov. 12.
The final time of 1:42.88 for the 1 1/16 miles over Cushion Track was the fastest since Pioneerof the Nile (1:41.95).
“He’s just going to improve off this race,’’ winning rider Rafael Bejarano said. “I’m really happy with this horse. Bob has done an awesome job with him.
“He broke so well, but I knew there were a few speed horses in there, so I just put him right in behind them. I was just waiting and waiting and when I found the right opportunity, I swung him out in the stretch and he showed a big kick.”
A $290,000 purchase at the Keeneland September sale in 2010, Liaison has won three of four starts. The $375,000 payday pushed his bankroll to $469,560.
The Futurity victory had extra meaning for Baffert. He trained Liaison's sire Indian Charlie, who won four of five races in his brief career, including the 1998 Santa Anita Derby (G1). Indian Charlie was euthanized following a battle with cancer earlier in the week
“We’ve had emotions all week about Indian Charlie,” said Baffert. “He was such a good horse and he didn’t get going as a sire until the very end.
“Winning this race is very important. It’s the last chance to run at a big pot other than the Breeders’ Cup. This race is very pivotal for future stars. It’s where they start separating themselves. I’m glad I was on the front end of the separation."