Del Mar will see trainer Bob Baffert attempt to extend his remarkable dominance in the GI Del Mar Futurity on Sunday’s closing day, as he sends out four contenders in a race he’s won for four consecutive years and 18 times overall.
Baffert’s extraordinary Futurity legacy began in 1996 with future GI Kentucky Derby winner Silver Charm (Silver Buck) and continued through six straight subsequent renewals. His winners represent a virtual Hall of Fame roster, including champions Midshipman (1998), Lookin At Lucky (1999) and American Pharoah (2014) — the latter capturing his maiden victory in that year’s Futurity.
This year’s quartet represents three different ownership interests, with Zedan Racing Stable being the only client yet to taste Futurity success with Baffert. That could change Sunday with $3-million OBS March topper Brant (Gun Runner), who earned ‘TDN Rising Star’ status in his July 26 debut when defeating Doug O’Neill-trained Civil Liberty (Independence Hall) by more than five lengths in 1:02.63, earning a 101 Beyer Speed Figure. Jockey Flavien Prat seeks his third consecutive victory in the race and fourth in six years.
Desert Gate (Omaha Beach) enters as a formidable contender following his impressive Santa Anita maiden win on June 13 and subsequent dominating 8 3/4-length triumph in the GIII Best Pal Stakes on Aug. 9 — a victory achieved with considerable reserves remaining. Juan Hernandez maintains the mount.
Baffert’s contingent also includes Balboa (Not This Time, $875,000 KEESEP), who finished third behind Brant before earning ‘Rising Star’ status with a 7 3/4-length romp on Aug. 10, and Litmus Test (Nyquist, $875,000 FTSAUG), who draws the outside post among six entrants following his 3/4-length debut victory over 5 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 16. Kazushi Kimura takes over riding duties on Balboa, while visiting jockey Tyler Gaffalione gets the call on Litmus Test.
Completing the field is Brigante (More Than Ready), a Civil Liberty stablemate and two-start maiden who most recently finished third in the Best Pal.
Hey Nay Nay Favored in Del Mar Juvenile Turf
Hey Nay Nay (Ire) (No Nay Never) stands as the clear favorite in Sunday’s GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf, provided he successfully navigates his first attempt at a route distance. The $300,000 Keeneland September purchase has been flawless in two career starts, breaking his maiden at first asking in a five-furlong Santa Anita maiden on June 1 before shipping east to dominate the Aug. 2 Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park by seven lengths.
Plutarch (Into Mischief), a homebred son of champion Stellar Wind (Malibu Moon), gets the blinkers removed after finishing second in his one-mile debut to ‘TDN Rising Star’ Intrepido (Maximus Mischief) on Aug. 23. His turf ability remains the primary question.
Won for Lou (Bucchero) finished third to Hey Nay Nay in their respective debuts and holds the advantage of proven course-and-distance form, having defeated Born to Rock (Rock Your World) by 1 1/4 lengths on July 27.
Proletariat (Raging Bull {Fr}) completes the field, entering off a victory over a next-out winner in a five-furlong turf sprint at Del Mar on Aug. 1 after finishing third in the Desert Gate maiden.
