Eaton Sales grad Forte battled with Loggins for the length of the stretch before prevailing by a head in Saturday’s $600,000 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland.

Along with winning the Hopeful S. (G1) at Saratoga, Forte is now a two-time Grade 1 winner. Saturday’s victory earned him an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), also at Keeneland, early next month.

Forte was well off the early pace set by Loggins, who made the first half-mile in :46.36. Forte began his rally with a half-mile to run, first along the fence and then going four-wide on the turn. He engaged the pacesetter at the top of the stretch, and those two were nearly inseparable the rest of the way. Forte got the better of his foe in the final strides to stop the timer in 1:44.74. on a fast main track.

Forte was bred by South Gate Farm and is owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable, who purchased the son of Violence for $110,000 out of the Eaton Sales consignment at the 2021 Keeneland September Yearling sale.

Forte’s earnings now stand at $555,150.