2017 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity

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Race Info
History

At home in Kentucky, Albaugh Family Stables' Free Drop Billy rolled to an easy win in the $500,000 Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity Oct. 7 at Keeneland.

Trained by Kentucky-based Dale Romans, Free Drop Billy ran well at Saratoga Race Course this summer, finishing second to eventual Champagne Stakes winner Firenze Fire in the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes and missing victory by just a neck in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes when second to Sporting Chance.

Racing back in the Bluegrass State Saturday for the first time since his three-length maiden special weight victory in June at Churchill Downs, Free Drop Billy delivered the top performance of his career as he quickly opened a wide advantage in early stretch under Robby Albarado and sustained that run to the wire to post a four-length victory. The son of Union Rags completed the 1 1/16-mile test for 2-year-olds in 1:45.43 as the 3-2 favorite.

The Breeders' Futurity is a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" race, earning the winner a fees-paid spot in the Grade 1 Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile Nov. 4 at Del Mar.

The Breeders' Futurity also is a 2018 Kentucky Derby Championship Series Prep Season race, awarding 10 points to the winner, four points to the runner-up, two points to the third-place finisher, and one point to the fourth-place finisher.

With the win, Romans picked up his fourth Breeders' Futurity victory since 2005 when he won with Dawn of War. He followed with scores by Dullahan in 2011 and Brody's Cause in 2015.

Free Drop Billy was followed home by longshot Bravazo, a Calumet Farm homebred trained by D. Wayne Lukas. Lone Sailor finished third, and Lionite finished fourth.

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Fastest Time (since 1976): 1:26:20
Greatest Winning Margin (since 1976): 10 lengths

Date	Past Winner	Trainer	Jockey	Owner
10/03/2025	Ted Noffey Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / Spendthrift Farm LLC	Todd A. Pletcher	John R. Velazquez	Spendthrift Farm LLC
10/04/2024	East Avenue Trainer / Brendan P. Walsh Jockey / Tyler Gaffalione Owner / Godolphin, LLC	Brendan P. Walsh	Tyler Gaffalione	Godolphin, LLC
10/06/2023	Locked Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / Jose L. Ortiz Owner / Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm	Todd A. Pletcher	Jose L. Ortiz	Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm
10/07/2022	Forte Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / Irad Ortiz, Jr. Owner / Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable	Todd A. Pletcher	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable
10/08/2021	Rattle N Roll Trainer / Kenneth G. McPeek Jockey / Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. Owner / Lucky Seven Stable	Kenneth G. McPeek	Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.	Lucky Seven Stable
10/02/2020	Essential Quality Trainer / Brad H. Cox Jockey / Luis Saez Owner / Godolphin, LLC	Brad H. Cox	Luis Saez	Godolphin, LLC
10/04/2019	Maxfield Trainer / Brendan P. Walsh Jockey / Jose L. Ortiz Owner / Godolphin, LLC	Brendan P. Walsh	Jose L. Ortiz	Godolphin, LLC
10/05/2018	Knicks Go Trainer / Ben Colebrook Jockey / Albin Jimenez Owner / KRA Stud Farm	Ben Colebrook	Albin Jimenez	KRA Stud Farm
10/06/2017	Free Drop Billy Trainer / Dale L. Romans Jockey / Robby Albarado Owner / Albaugh Family Stables LLC	Dale L. Romans	Robby Albarado	Albaugh Family Stables LLC
10/07/2016	Classic Empire Trainer / Mark E. Casse Jockey / Julien R. Leparoux Owner / John C. Oxley	Mark E. Casse	Julien R. Leparoux	John C. Oxley
10/02/2015	Brody's Cause Trainer / Dale L. Romans Jockey / Corey J. Lanerie Owner / Albaugh Family Stables LLC	Dale L. Romans	Corey J. Lanerie	Albaugh Family Stables LLC
10/03/2014	Carpe Diem Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / WinStar Farm LLC and Stonestreet Stables LLC	Todd A. Pletcher	John R. Velazquez	WinStar Farm LLC and Stonestreet Stables LLC
10/04/2013	We Miss Artie Trainer / Todd A. Pletcher Jockey / John R. Velazquez Owner / Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K.	Todd A. Pletcher	John R. Velazquez	Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K.
10/05/2012	Joha Trainer / Michael J. Maker Jockey / Rajiv Maragh Owner / Bluegrass Equine Bloodstock LLC	Michael J. Maker	Rajiv Maragh	Bluegrass Equine Bloodstock LLC
10/07/2011	Dullahan Trainer / Dale L. Romans Jockey / Kent J. Desormeaux Owner / Donegal Racing	Dale L. Romans	Kent J. Desormeaux	Donegal Racing
10/08/2010	J. B.'s Thunder Trainer / Albert M. Stall, Jr. Jockey / Shaun Bridgmohan Owner / Columbine Stable LLC.	Albert M. Stall, Jr.	Shaun Bridgmohan	Columbine Stable LLC.
10/09/2009	Noble's Promise Trainer / Kenneth G. McPeek Jockey / Willie Martinez Owner / Chasing Dreams Racing 2008 LLC	Kenneth G. McPeek	Willie Martinez	Chasing Dreams Racing 2008 LLC
10/03/2008	Square Eddie Trainer / John R. Best Jockey / Rafael Bejarano Owner / J. Paul Reddam	John R. Best	Rafael Bejarano	J. Paul Reddam
10/05/2007	Wicked Style Trainer / George R. Arnold, II Jockey / Robby Albarado Owner / Ashbrook Farm	George R. Arnold, II	Robby Albarado	Ashbrook Farm
10/06/2006	Great Hunter Trainer / Doug F. O'Neill Jockey / Victor Espinoza Owner / J. Paul Reddam	Doug F. O'Neill	Victor Espinoza	J. Paul Reddam
10/07/2005	Dawn of War Trainer / Dale L. Romans Jockey / John Jacinto Owner / Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K.	Dale L. Romans	John Jacinto	Ramsey, Kenneth L. and Sarah K.
10/08/2004	Consolidator Trainer / D. Wayne Lukas Jockey / Rafael Bejarano Owner / Lewis, Robert B. and Beverly J.	D. Wayne Lukas	Rafael Bejarano	Lewis, Robert B. and Beverly J.
10/03/2003	Eurosilver Trainer / Nicholas P. Zito Jockey / Javier Castellano Owner / Buckram Oak Farm	Nicholas P. Zito	Javier Castellano	Buckram Oak Farm
10/04/2002	Sky Mesa Trainer / John T. Ward, Jr. Jockey / Edgar S. Prado Owner / John C. Oxley	John T. Ward, Jr.	Edgar S. Prado	John C. Oxley
10/05/2001	Siphonic Trainer / David E. Hofmans Jockey / Chris J. McCarron Owner / Amerman Racing LLC	David E. Hofmans	Chris J. McCarron	Amerman Racing LLC
10/07/2000	Arabian Light Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / Shane J. Sellers Owner / The Thoroughbred Corporation	Bob Baffert	Shane J. Sellers	The Thoroughbred Corporation
10/09/1999	Captain Steve Trainer / Bob Baffert Jockey / Garrett K. Gomez Owner / Mike Pegram	Bob Baffert	Garrett K. Gomez	Mike Pegram
10/17/1998	Cat Thief Trainer / D. Wayne Lukas Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Overbrook Farm	D. Wayne Lukas	Pat Day	Overbrook Farm
10/17/1997	Favorite Trick Trainer / Patrick B. Byrne Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Joseph Lacombe Stable, Inc.	Patrick B. Byrne	Pat Day	Joseph Lacombe Stable, Inc.
10/10/1996	Boston Harbor Trainer / D. Wayne Lukas Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Overbrook Farm	D. Wayne Lukas	Jerry D. Bailey	Overbrook Farm
10/07/1995	Honour and Glory Trainer / D. Wayne Lukas Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Michael Tabor	D. Wayne Lukas	Pat Day	Michael Tabor
10/22/1994	Tejano Run Trainer / Kenneth G. McPeek Jockey / Jerry D. Bailey Owner / Roy K. Monroe	Kenneth G. McPeek	Jerry D. Bailey	Roy K. Monroe
10/23/1993	Polar Expedition Trainer / Hugh H. Robertson Jockey / Curt C. Bourque Owner / JAMES B. CODY	Hugh H. Robertson	Curt C. Bourque	JAMES B. CODY
10/17/1992	Mountain Cat Trainer / D. Wayne Lukas Jockey / Pat Day Owner / Overbrook Farm	D. Wayne Lukas	Pat Day	Overbrook Farm
10/19/1991	Dance Floor Trainer / D. Wayne Lukas Jockey / Charles R. Woods, Jr. Owner / Oaktown Stable	D. Wayne Lukas	Charles R. Woods, Jr.	Oaktown Stable
10/11/1990	Sir Bordeaux Trainer / Ronnie G. Warren Jockey / Wigberto S. Ramos Owner / Hardamon & Trislar	Ronnie G. Warren	Wigberto S. Ramos	Hardamon & Trislar
10/12/1989	Slavic Trainer / Flint S. Schulhofer Jockey / Jose A. Santos Owner / Perry W H	Flint S. Schulhofer	Jose A. Santos	Perry W H
10/19/1988	Fast Play Trainer / Claude R. McGaughey III Jockey / Angel Cordero, Jr. Owner / Phipps O	Claude R. McGaughey III	Angel Cordero, Jr.	Phipps O
10/29/1987	Forty Niner Trainer / Woodford C. Stephens Jockey / Eddie Maple Owner / Claiborne Farm	Woodford C. Stephens	Eddie Maple	Claiborne Farm
10/09/1986	Orono Trainer / Carl A. Nafzger Jockey / Sandy Hawley Owner / Bayview Farm	Carl A. Nafzger	Sandy Hawley	Bayview Farm
10/18/1985	Tasso Trainer / Neil D. Drysdale Jockey / Laffit A. Pincay, Jr. Owner / Robbins & Sams	Neil D. Drysdale	Laffit A. Pincay, Jr.	Robbins & Sams
10/19/1984	Crater Fire Trainer / D. Hal Griffitt Jockey / Daryl Montoya Owner / Crater & Hinkle IV	D. Hal Griffitt	Daryl Montoya	Crater & Hinkle IV
10/07/1983	Swale Trainer / Woodford C. Stephens Jockey / Eddie Maple Owner / Claiborne Farm	Woodford C. Stephens	Eddie Maple	Claiborne Farm
10/15/1982	Highland Park Trainer / Anthony Basile Jockey / John Lively Owner / Bwamazon Farm	Anthony Basile	John Lively	Bwamazon Farm
10/23/1981	D'Accord Trainer / Bertram R. Firestone Jockey / Darrel G. McHargue Owner / Firestone B R	Bertram R. Firestone	Darrel G. McHargue	Firestone B R
10/03/1980	Fairway Phantom Trainer / Carl A. Nafzger Jockey / John Lively Owner / Floyd W H	Carl A. Nafzger	John Lively	Floyd W H
10/12/1979	Gold Stage Trainer / William Curtis, Jr. Jockey / Don Brumfield Owner / Hofmann Mrs P B	William Curtis, Jr.	Don Brumfield	Hofmann Mrs P B
10/06/1978	Strike Your Colors Trainer / Del W. Carroll Jockey / Eddie J. Delahoussaye Owner / Farish W S III	Del W. Carroll	Eddie J. Delahoussaye	Farish W S III
10/07/1977	Gonquin Trainer / Jerry M. Fanning Jockey / Frank Olivares Owner / Scully J	Jerry M. Fanning	Frank Olivares	Scully J
10/08/1976	Run Dusty Run Trainer / William E. Adams Jockey / Darrel G. McHargue Owner / Golden Chance Farm Inc	William E. Adams	Darrel G. McHargue	Golden Chance Farm Inc