Six seek glory in the Del Mar Futurity as the winner will try to follow in the footsteps of the last pair of Del Mar Futurity heroes. American Pharoah took this fixture in 2014 and went on to win the Triple Crown and Nyquist won this race last year and eventually won the Kentucky Derby.
This is the 69th running of the 7-furlong $300,000 Del Mar Futurity.
Bob Baffert has always thrived at Del Mar. He has won the Del Mar Futurity 12 times and he will be represented Monday by Klimt.
This runner may have an edge on this field and he could get away as a decent price as his highest Beyer Speed Figure leaves something to be desired. Klimt is the only stakes winner in the group and he could have been compromised in his only loss since it was at 5 furlongs. His pair of Beyers since the debut have escalated and it appears he should relish this distance. Despite being fanned out in his last race, the Grade 2 Best Pal, this son of Quality Road made the lead at the top of the stretch and was inching away. One of his better assets, obviously, is he is trained Baffert, and he has trained forwardly for this race. Klimt worked 6 furlongs the end of August and recorded a drill that was 7 full ticks faster than the other runner working at that distance. That runner, Emmzy, is an older filly that was recently second in the Grade 2 Indiana Oaks at Indiana Grand Race Course.
Chasing Aces knew when to hold them and when to fold them in the debut when he was in tight and had to bide his time. His big moment came in his second race when he quickly made the lead under jockey Tyler Baze and drew away by over 5 and quarter lengths while posting a 101 Beyer. He also beat his key rival next door, Straight Fire.
Straight Fire, who cost $250,000, flattered Chasing Aces in a big way when he won on August 6 punching his ticket to the Del Mar Futurity. He not only won, he did in with class and ease lengthening his stride late to win by over 10 lengths with a 98 Beyer.
Midnight Pleasure was dismissed by the fans in the debut but he made them moan as he got an ideal 3-hole trip to win inching clear late in his next start. His connections have been high on him, he cost over $300,000 and he has drilled sharply since the opener. By Breeders’ Cup Sprint champ Midnight Lute, this runner may have to invent a trip.
Vegas Itch basically let it stay in Vegas in his debut. He was an ice cube on the tote board at 33-1, broke second to last when in tight and basically passed a few stranglers roaming the casino. Dig into this pedigree and players will see that his sire Twirling Candy won the Del Mar Derby.
Dynamic Ruler is ambitiously placed. He runs Monday as a first-time gelding and some have called that procedure the ultimate equipment change. This racer walked out of the gate in the debut but there are several multiple race winners in the family. His top sibling Misty Rosette took a Grade 3 and earned almost $200,000. Earning the first win in stakes company is a rare feat.
Here’s how things may unfold. Straight Fire figures to make the lead. He has never been headed at the first or second call so far and he dueled Chasing Aces into submission in June. Aces has to be aggressive since he drew the rail and if he is not sent hard he runs the risk of getting shuffled.
Midnight Pleasure has a shot to track the pace but he will likely be behind the selection Klimt. This colt has speed, but the draw is the key. He is outside of the other speed horses and his rider Rafael Bejarano, who teamed with Baffert to win this race in 2012, can bide his time and see how the race is unfolding.
Chasing Aces has to go a full 2 furlongs farther than he has ever been and that figures to be a chore. Expect the pace to be hot, for Bejarano to save just enough gas for the final furlong and then patiently roll home in time to collar Straight Fire.
Good luck and grab a margarita to celebrate another successful Del Mar meeting.
