Baffert seeks fourth Futurity win

Trainer Bob Baffert will send out two horses with differing running styles today when he attempts to win a record-tying fourth CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park.

Baffert has entered likely early leader Ventana and late-charging Pioneerof the Nile in the 28th running of the $750,000 1 1/16 -mile Kentucky Derby springboard that has produced six Derby winners since 1982, including 2004 CashCall runner-up Giacomo.

Baffert, who has won the race with Captain Steve in 1999 and enjoyed two Triple Crown victories each with CashCall champs Point Given (2000) and Real Quiet (1997), is bidding to tie Wayne Lukas’ record.

Pioneerof the Nile finished fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita and Ventana is the son of 2002 Futurity winner Toccet.

The competition in the 12-horse CashCall field will be stiff, including November’s Real Quiet Stakes winner Chocolate Candy, whose trainer, Jerry Hollendorfer, saddled CashCall winner King Glorious 20 years ago.

European entry Axel Foley, named after the lead “Beverly Hills Cop” character played by Eddie Murphy, won on a synthetic track in England in October.

Azul Leon, with jockey Joel Rosario, has the most earnings ($202,400) of any horse in the field, winning the Hollywood Juvenile Championship in July and the Best Pal Stakes by disqualification.

Frumious has won three consecutive races at Golden Gate Fields.