Baffert Seeks 15th Del Mar Futurity Win

[Wandering Eyes]

The GI Del Mar Futurity might as well be renamed the Bob Baffert Futurity as he holds a record 14 wins in the Del Mar closing day feature and the Hall of Famer has a strong chance to win this year’s renewal with a pair of entries. Leading the Baffert duo is ‘TDN Rising Star’ Eight Rings (Empire Maker). The $525,000 KEESEP buy demolished the field in his 5 1/2-panel debut in SoCal Aug. 4, romping home to a 6 1/4-length victory. The dark bay enters this test off a series of speedy drills, most recently covering five panels in 1:00 4/5 (2/21) at Del Mar Aug. 4. Baffert also saddles Godolphin’s Garth (Into Mischief), who finished second to the re-opposing Storm the Court (Court Vision) in his unveiling Aug. 10 and also boasts a sharp worktab.

Peter Miller sends out $875,000 FTFMAR purchase Wrecking Crew (Sky Kingdom) in this top-level affair. Winning at first asking at Del Mar July 27, the dark bay checked in second last time in the GII Best Pal S. Aug. 10. The conditioner will also be represented by Nucky (Ghostzapper), who graduated by 10 1/2 lengths at fourth asking in a $100,000 maiden claiming event here Aug. 21.

Doug O’Neill also has two in Monday’s test, headlined by Fore Left (Twirling Candy). Opening his account at Santa Anita May 19, he followed suit with a decisive score in Belmont’s Tremont S. June 7 and tasted defeat for the first time last out when third in the Best Pal. Stablemate Defense Wins (Flatter) enters off a runner-up effort behind next-out Best Pal winner Collusion Illusion in a five-panel maiden special weight at the seaside oval July 21.

Rounding out the field is the Richard Baltas-trained Ginobili (Munnings). Fourth in his career bow at Los Alamitos July 14, the bay went wire-to-wire against what looked like a tough group last time in a six-furlong event over this strip Aug. 17.

 

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