While his older full brother, Fierceness, sets his sights on divisional glory in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic next month, 2-year-old MENTEE (City of Light–Nonna Bella, by Stay Thirsty) is pursuing a different path. Mentee secured his place in the GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint with a victory in the GIII Futurity Stakes at Aqueduct on Friday.

The Repole Stables homebred made a splash in his Saratoga debut, edging out his rivals by the smallest of margins. However, things took a turn in the GI Hopeful Stakes, where he finished sixth after enduring a rough trip, leading his connections to pivot to the turf.

In the Futurity, Mentee tracked the early pace set by Epitaph (Country House) and made his move coming out of the turn. He gradually wore down the frontrunner and finished strong to win decisively. His lifetime record now stands at 3-2-0-0 under the guidance of trainer Todd Pletcher.