Pinehurst Wins Runhappy Del Mar Futurity By a ‘Fair Way’

[Wandering Eyes]

PINEHURST (c, 2, Twirling Candy–Giant Win, by Giant's Causeway) gave trainer Bob Baffert an unfathomable 15th victory in the GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity, leading every step of the way, while–equally remarkably–giving Hall of Famer Mike Smith a first victory in the race. Kicked straight into the lead from the four hole, Pinehurst set the pace from his heavily favored stablemate Murray (Street Sense) as Saratoga debut winner American Xperiment (Nyquist) tracked three wide. Looking to be doing the best work of that leading trio on the turn, he was shaken up three-sixteenths of a mile from home and was never in danger, scoring by four lengths. Finneus (Stay Thirsty), a 35-1 outsider, covered ground, but ran on gamely for second ahead of American Xperiment, who outfinished Pappacap (Gun Runner) for third. A $385,000 graduate of last year's Keeneland September Sale, Pinehurst validated 17-10 favoritism on debut, scoring by a half-length in virtual wire-to-wire fashion while earning a field-best 86 Beyer Speed Figure. He is the sixth top-level scorer and 25th stakes winner for Twirling Candy. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Masterson, Robert E., Stonestreet Stables LLC, Schoenfarber, Jay A., Waves Edge Capital LLC, Donovan, Catherine, Golconda Stable and Siena Farm LLC; B-Fred W Hertrich III & John D Fielding; T-Bob Baffert.

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