Formal Summation Rebounds In Laurel Futurity

Formal Summation Rebounds In Laurel Futurity

Ruby Notion Easy Winner of Selima
 
 LAUREL, MD – After winning his debut easily on the main track at Gulfstream Park back in July, Formal Summation lugged out and was pulled up a month later on the turf in the Tyro at Monmouth Park.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
So what would trainer Kathleen O’Connell get from Formal Summation in Saturday’s $75,000 Laurel Futurity, a 5 ½ furlong sprint taken off the turf and contested on a sloppy track?
 
A fairly easy winner.
 
Ridden by Antonio Gallardo, Formal Summation drove away from seven others to win the Futurity by 2 ¾ lengths over Captain Alex. It was another half-length back to favored Thunder Pass in third. Formal Summation, a son of In Summation bred and owned by Lynne Martin-Boutte, covered the distance in 1:06.21.
 
“We don't know what happened that last race,” O’Connell said. “He galloped in Miami in his first race, and he has always trained very well. Monmouth has a very sharp first turn so maybe that was it.”
 
There were no problems negotiating Laurel’s track Saturday. After cruising by the early pacesetter Louise the Laser down the backstretch, Formal Summation opened up nearly six lengths on the field around the turn and entering the stretch and then cruised home.
 
“I am not sure what is next for him,” O’Connell said. “I don't expect any problems with him going further. He does everything very well.”
 
In the $75,000 Selima Stakes, also taken off the turf, Silverton Hill’s Ruby Notion, a winner last time out of the Colleen Stakes at Monmouth Park, drew away effortlessly from eight others to win the 5 ½ furlong event by 8 lengths in 1:05.06. Look Who’s Talking was second, Holiday Wishes third and favored Table Jumper fourth.
 
Ruby Notion, trained by Wesley Ward and ridden by Trevor McCarthy, raced outside Atara in second leaving the gate until putting that one away and then opening up her advantage down the stretch and being ridden out.
 
“I kind of intimidated [Atara] just to let them know that we meant business and that we were going to be in front,” McCarthy said. “She was just dragging me the entire race. She was waiting for me to tell her to go. She is a really nice filly.  
 
“She’s probably going to go places, this one,” McCarthy said.