Prospect Watch West: Monomoy Girl's 1st colt debuts at Del Mar

Del Mar's racing program this week presents an exceptional collection of young horses carrying championship bloodlines, highlighted by sons of Grade 1 winners Stellar Wind and Monomoy Girl making their debuts for Bob Baffert. The Hall of Fame trainer has assembled a group of first-time starters featuring offspring of elite female champions, including one by Monomoy Girl, the Breeders' Cup Distaff winner who earned nearly $5 million.

The star-studded entries continue beyond the debuts, with second-time starters carrying connections to Grade 1 winner Ag Bullet and Grade 2 winners Air Force Red and Closing Remarks.

Thursday

Curtsy returns to Del Mar race 1 for her second career start, switching from turf to dirt after a solid debut performance. This 3-year-old filly by Into Mischief earned her prospect status through her dam Bendable, a Grade 3 winner who earned $257,000. The Richard Mandella trainee finished fourth in her debut on July 24, beaten just two lengths and earning an 89 Horse Racing Nation speed figure on the turf. The surface change to six furlongs on dirt suggests connections believe the filly has more to offer on the main track. Kazushi Kimura takes the mount for owners Claiborne Farm, Perry R. Bass II and Ramona S. Bass, with morning line odds of 8-1 in the six-horse field.

Adia makes her racing debut in Del Mar race 4, representing the first crop of City of Light to reach the races. This 2-year-old filly has secured her prospect status through her half-brother Air Force Red, a Grade 2 winner who earned $741,000. Trainer Ryan Hanson has the filly ready for five furlongs on turf, a surface that should suit her breeding. Tyler Baze takes the mount for owner R.B. Shapiro Racing, with morning-line odds of 6-1 in the competitive 10-horse field. The filly represents Richard Barton Enterprises as breeder.

Magic Club also debuts in Del Mar race 4, bringing equally impressive family credentials to the starting gate. 2 two-year-old filly by Clubhouse Ride has earned her prospect ranking through her half-sister Closing Remarks, a Grade 2 winner who earned over one million dollars. Trainer Craig Anthony Lewis has the homebred ready for the same five-furlong turf contest, with Kazushi Kimura aboard. The morning line makers have installed her at 4-1 odds. Rainmaker Racing serves as both owner and breeder.

Friday

B G Bullet makes his second career start in Del Mar race 3, returning to five furlongs on turf after a disappointing debut three weeks ago. This 2-year-old colt by Mendelssohn has earned his prospect ranking through his half-brother Ag Bullet, a Grade 1 winner who earned over $1.6 million. The colt's debut on Aug. 1 saw him finish fifth, beaten 8 3/4 lengths and earning a modest 36 HRN speed figure. Trainer Hector O. Palma brings the colt back quickly, suggesting confidence in improvement. Antonio Fresu takes the riding assignment for owners BG Stables and Royalty Stable, with morning-line odds of 6-1 in the eight-horse field.

Cultural steps up in company in Del Mar race 5, making his second career start in starter optional claiming. This 3-year-old colt by Volatile earned his prospect status through his half-brother Elm Drive, a Grade 2 winner who earned $611,000. The colt broke his maiden impressively at Santa Anita on Jan. 3, winning by 2 1/4 lengths and earning an 87 HRN speed figure. The seven-month layoff since that breakthrough suggests careful development under trainer Michael McCarthy. Umberto Rispoli takes the mount for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and LaPenta, with morning-line odds of 8-1 in the seven-horse field.

Saturday

Provenance headlines the debut group in Del Mar race 1, representing one of the most significant first-time starters of the meet. This 2-year-old colt by Into Mischief is out of Grade 1 winner Monomoy Girl, who earned nearly $5 million and captured multiple Grade 1 victories, including the Kentucky Oaks and Breeders' Cup Distaff. Bob Baffert trains the homebred for Spendthrift Farm, with Juan Hernandez taking the mount. The one-mile distance on dirt suggests connections believe this colt possesses both class and stamina.

Plutarch joins Provenance in that same Del Mar race 1, creating a compelling Baffert-trained entry featuring elite breeding. This 2-year-old colt by Into Mischief is out of Stellar Wind, the champion who captured the Clement L. Hirsch (G1) twice and earned $2.9 million. Drayden Van Dyke rides the homebred for the powerhouse ownership group of Magnier, Tabor and Smith.

Maymun takes aim at stakes glory in Del Mar's Pat O'Brien (G2), making his third career start in a competitive field. This 4-year-old colt by Frosted earned his prospect status through his impressive $900,000 purchase price at the Ocala Breeders' Sales. The colt showed significant improvement in his most recent start in February 2024, winning an allowance race at Santa Anita by a neck while earning a strong 112 HRN speed figure. The 18-month gap since that victory suggests he might have had physical issues, but Baffert has targeted this spot specifically for a comeback. Kazushi Kimura takes the mount for Zedan Racing Stables in the nine-horse field.

Prospect Watch entries