$3 million Brant gives Baffert 19th win in Del Mar Futurity
Brant, a $3 million purchase who was 1-9 against five rivals Sunday in the Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Futurity, was put to the test in the seven-furlong, closing-day headliner. In the end he passed it with the proverbial flying colors.
For Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, the victory was his record-extending 19th in the Futurity. But it was not as easy as the odds might have made it look.
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Owned by Zedan Racing Stables, the son of champion Gun Runner made the lead out of the gate, retained his position around the turn and then met a stout foe in stablemate Desert Gate through the lane. But Eclipse Award rider Flavien Prat urged his gray favorite right-handed, and the colt would not let the challenger past.
Brant covered the seven furlongs on the fast main track in 1:21.92 after early fractions of 21.88, 44.53 and 1:09.11.
In the end Brant proved one length best and returned the minimum $2.20 to his backers for a $2 win bet. Win wagering was the only betting allowed in the race.
“It started off a little anxious there,” said Jimmy Barnes, Baffert’s assistant. “He broke inward, but he recovered quickly. Being pushed down toward the rail, you have to be placed forward. He’s a really talented horse. Actually, they all are. We’re very happy.”
Desert Gate is owned by the trio of Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman. Despite stumbling at the start, he finished 3 1/4 lengths better than third-place finisher Civil Liberty, who races in the silks of Great Friends Stables and Mark Davis.
The win for Prat was his fourth in the Futurity, the last three in a row coming with Baffert.
“I think he was ready for the day,” Prat said. ”When we broke he was very quick, he was very comfortable. He took a nice breather around the turn, and we made it to the finish line.”
The Del Mar Futurity was a Breeders’ Cup dirt-dozen race. In this case it provided a bonus toward the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Brant has earned a $30,000 credit toward entry fees into the juvenile championship race, which will be run at Del Mar on Oct. 31.
Brant picked up a first prize of $180,000 for his second win in his second start and has total earnings of $228,000.