Bob Baffert has long been a force to be reckoned with in the world of horse racing. Whether it's the Hollywood Futurity, the CashCall Futurity, or the Los Alamitos Futurity, he seems to always find his way to the winner's circle. And this Saturday, it's likely to happen again as he sends out three of the five 2-year-olds entered in the upcoming edition of the 1 1/16-mile Futurity at Los Alamitos. The post time for this exciting event is 7 p.m. ET.

History and Significance of the Los Alamitos Futurity

The Los Alamitos Futurity is not just another race; it's a Kentucky Derby (G1) points qualifier. The winner earns 10 points, with a sliding scale of 5-3-2-1 going to the next four finishers. Since its move to Los Alamitos in 2014, after Hollywood was shut down, Baffert has had an astonishing record. He has won the Futurity eight of the last 10 years, including last year's edition with Wynstock. His dominance in the top 3 is also remarkable, with an 8-5-4 record from 20 starters in the past 10 runnings. The fields have been relatively compact over the past decade, averaging about five each year. 1: This consistent success shows Baffert's exceptional skills and strategies. His ability to train and prepare horses for these high-stakes races is truly remarkable. Each win adds to his already impressive legacy and cements his status as one of the greatest trainers in the sport. 2: The significance of the Los Alamitos Futurity goes beyond just the points. It's a showcase of the best young horses and a platform for them to launch their careers. For trainers like Baffert, it's an opportunity to prove their mettle and continue to build their reputations.

Baffert's Contenders in the Upcoming Futurity

Among Baffert's entries in the Los Alamitos Futurity, 2-5 Gaming is the favorite. This horse won the Grade I, $300,000 Del Mar Futurity and was the runner-up to stablemate Citizen Bull in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1). He's coming off a successful run and is expected to perform well. Another promising horse is 3-1 Getaway Car, which finished fourth in the Juvenile. Mellencamp, at 15-1, is also in the mix and showed his potential by breaking his maiden at second asking on Nov. 17 at Del Mar. 1: Gaming's previous wins give him a clear edge as the favorite. His experience and talent make him a serious contender for the top spot. Getaway Car, on the other hand, has shown consistency and could surprise with a strong performance. Mellencamp's maiden victory gives him confidence and a chance to shine on the big stage. 2: Baffert's ability to bring out the best in his horses is evident in these entries. Each one has the potential to make a name for themselves and contribute to Baffert's continued success. The competition in the Futurity is fierce, but Baffert's horses are well-prepared and ready to give it their all.

The Challenges and Opponents

While Baffert's horses are strong contenders, they face some challenges. Rank, trained by Doug O'Neill, has had a tough run with a 0-for-5 record and finished sixth in the Del Mar Futurity, nearly 13 lengths behind Gaming. However, O'Neill remains optimistic and believes Rank is ready to turn things around. Mike McCarthy's Journalism also has a chance. A son of Curlin, he broke his maiden at second asking and showed he can compete with the best. 1: Rank's struggles in the past don't mean he can't perform well in the Futurity. O'Neill's confidence in his horse shows that there is still hope. Journalism's maiden victory gives him momentum and a belief that he can compete at a higher level. 2: The competition in the Futurity is intense, and every horse has a chance to win. The key is for the trainers to bring out the best in their horses and handle the pressure of the big race. Baffert and his opponents will all be pushing hard to come out on top.

The Betting Odds and Picks

The betting odds for the $200,000 Los Alamitos Futurity are as follows: 1 Gaming (Flavien Prat, Bob Baffert) at 2-5, 2 Mellencamp (Kazushi Kimura, Bob Baffert) at 15-1, 3 Getaway Car (Juan Hernandez, Bob Baffert) at 3-1, 4 Rank (Antonio Fresu, Doug O'Neill) at 15-1, and 5 Journalism (Umberto Rispoli, Mike McCarthy) at 6-1. 1: The betting odds reflect the perceived strengths and weaknesses of each horse. Gaming's low odds indicate the high expectations placed on him, while the longer odds for the other horses suggest more uncertainty. 2: However, betting on horse races is always a risky proposition. The outcome can be unpredictable, and even the underdogs can surprise. It will be interesting to see how the betting unfolds and which horses come out on top.The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.