Maryland-Bred Future Is Now Captures GIII Giant’s Causeway in Thrilling Photo Finish
Keeneland saw a classic turf battle Sunday as Maryland-bred Future Is Now (Great Notion) edged Pandora’s Gift (Ire) by the slimmest of margins to win the GIII Giant’s Causeway Stakes, marking a successful 2025 seasonal debut.
The 5-year-old mare entered off a layoff dating back to her October 13 victory in Keeneland’s GII Franklin Stakes, where she posted a career-best 99 Beyer Speed Figure. That win capped a successful 2024 campaign that included a half-length triumph in Saratoga’s Listed Smart N Fancy Stakes on August 23.
Future Is Now’s Saratoga success extended beyond that victory, as she also captured the GII Intercontinental Stakes and finished third in the GIII Caress during her summer in New York.
Despite the six-month absence from competition, bettors showed confidence in the Michael Trombetta trainee, sending her off as the narrow second choice at 2-1 odds behind Pandora’s Gift (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}).
After brushing at the start, Future Is Now established the early pace under pressure from Pandora’s Gift through fractions of :22.73 and :45.64. The pair remained locked in battle throughout, with neither giving ground in the stretch. In a finish where neither deserved defeat, Future Is Now prevailed by the slimmest of margins, with Danse Macabre (Army Mule) rallying from last to finish third.
“She’s a great filly. She can run anywhere and she’s doing great,” said winning rider Paco Lopez. “[Trainer] Michael [Trombetta] told me, ‘Paco, she’s training super, she never missed a work.’ She did it. I’m lucky today.”
Lopez explained his tactical approach after the race.
“[Taking the lead] was not my plan. I told Michael I didn’t really want to make the lead. But she broke on top and nobody else made [the lead], so we had to take it. I waited and waited until she [Pandora’s Gift (Ire)] passed me, and then I told [Future is Now] to go and she finished very well. Michael told me, ‘Today, Paco, you were really lucky.'”
The victory carried special significance for connections, coming after the February 4 passing of longtime Mid-Atlantic owner/breeder Larry Johnson, whose estate now owns Future Is Now.
“It’s a lot. It’s very sentimental,” said Trombetta. “Everybody’s worked hard and the family has been supportive every step of the way, so [the win] means the world.”
Future is Now gets the win in the G3 Giant's Causeway under @pacolopez1018 for trainer @MichaelTrombet3! 🏆
🎥 TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/1AdLYWtNYk
— TwinSpires Racing 🏇 (@TwinSpires)
Future is Now gets the win in the G3 Giant's Causeway under April 13, 2025
Future Is Now is one of three black-type earners for her dam Past as Prelude, alongside MSP Continentalcongres (Constitution) and MSW & GSP Call Another Play (Audible). The dam’s recent offspring include unraced 3-year-old Places in My Past (McKinzie) and a yearling filly by Audible. Past as Prelude, a half-sister to GSW Street Magician (Street Cry {Ire}) and to the dam of GSP Hopeful Princess (Not This Time), is due to Charlatan in 2025.
The extended female family shows particular affinity for Constitution, with black-type runners including GSW & MGISP Mindframe and MSP Mr Jefferson.
Future Is Now improved her lifetime record to 8-1-1 from 15 starts with earnings of $748,410. She is owned by The Estate of R. Larry Johnson, was bred in Maryland by R. Larry Johnson, and is trained by Michael J. Trombetta.
Pandora’s Gift (Ire), a 4-year-old filly by Churchill (Ire) out of Amthaal (GB), finished second for owner LSU Stables and trainer Christophe Clement. The $850,000 Keeneland April purchase earned $47,500 for the placing.
Danse Macabre, a 5-year-old mare by Army Mule, rallied for third, finishing a neck behind the runner-up for owners NBS Stable and Elements Racing, LLC. Also trained by Clement, she earned $33,250 for her connections.
The final time for the 5 1/2 furlongs on firm turf was 1:02.72.
