Prospect watch: Baffert trainee Garth set for debut
At the halfway point of the summer race meets at Del Mar and Saratoga, the juvenile racing action will really heat up with a collection of high-class maiden races plus two graded stakes events—the Best Pal Stakes (G2) at Del Mar and the Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) at Saratoga.
There’s lots to look forward to Saturday alone, including the debut of Garth, so let’s dig in and take note of a few promising juveniles to follow on Aug. 10:
Saturday, Aug. 10
Del Mar Race 1: Maiden Special Weight (5 ½ furlongs)
#1 Garth
A Godolphin homebred, Garth has everything going for him—top-class connections, a regal pedigree, and a strong work tab. For starters, he’s a son of Into Mischief out of the Empire Maker mare Country Star, winner of the 2007 Alcibiades Stakes (G1) and Hollywood Starlet Stakes (G1). For another, Garth is conditioned by the Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who targets Del Mar with his promising unraced juveniles. Lastly, Garth has trained up a storm in preparation for his debut, posting four consecutive bullet workouts leading up to Saturday’s race. On July 25, he worked five furlongs from the starting gate in 1:00 flat while going in company with Eight Rings, an impressive debut winner last Sunday at Del Mar. Suffice to say, Garth will be widely expected to dominate his first start.
Del Mar Race 8: Best Pal Stakes (G2, 6 furlongs)
We featured Wrecking Crew prior to his much-hyped debut on July 27 at Del Mar, in which he broke slowly before tracking the pace and taking command to win easily by 1 ¾ lengths. Sold for $875,000 as a 2yo-in-training, Wrecking Crew was favored at 2-5 two weeks ago and figures to receive plenty of play again on Saturday, especially while picking up the services of popular Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith.
#4 Schrodinger
Trainer Simon Callaghan does well with juveniles at Del Mar and has been seemingly aiming Schrodinger for this spot ever since the son of Justin Philip won his debut at Los Alamitos by 1 ¼ lengths. Despite a relatively unfashionable pedigree, Schrodinger brought $550,000 as a 2yo-in-training and was sent off at 2-5 in his debut, so it’s clear a lot of people think highly of this colt. He’s been training sharply at Del Mar (posting two bullet five-furlong moves in July) and will retain the services of jockey Flavien Prat, who also rode Wrecking Crew in the latter’s debut.
#7 Fore Left
Fore Left kicked off his career by winning a 4 ½-furlong maiden special weight at Santa Anita over Phantom Boss and Verb, who later finished first and third in the Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. Off of this classy debut, Fore Left was favored to win the 5 ½-furlong Tremont Stakes at Belmont and delivered impressively, powering clear to win eased up by 4 ½ lengths. Trained by Doug O’Neill, Fore Left will face stiffer competition in the Best Pal, but judging from his first two starts, he has the potential to be a very nice colt.
Saratoga Race 5: Maiden Special Weight (6 furlongs)
#2 Kittansett
Kittansett’s dam, Bsharpsonata, was a two-time Grade 2 winner, and she’s already produced four winning foals. Kittanesett’s sire, American Pharoah, won the Triple Crown. It’s easy to see why Kittansett sold for $1.4 million as a yearling, and while this Saturday maiden sprint is packed with well-bred first-time starters, Kittansett’s purchase price and solid work tab for leading trainer Chad Brown will ensure he receives plenty of wagering support.
Saratoga Race 7: Maiden Special Weight (6 furlongs)
#9 Ox Bridge
A Calumet Farm homebred trained by Todd Pletcher, this son of Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Oxbow was produced from the A.P. Indy mare A. P. Petal, already the dam of 2016 New Orleans Handicap (G2) winner S’maverlous, 2018 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) runner-up Pony Up, and 2017 Cardinal Handicap (G3) third-place finisher Coco Channel. With this strongly stamina-oriented pedigree, Ox Bridge should thrive when stretching out in distance down the road, so a promising performance in Saturday’s six-furlong sprint would suggest Ox Bridge has the potential to be a serious racehorse.
Saratoga Race 8: Saratoga Special Stakes (G2, 6 furlongs)
#4 Tuggle
As a son of Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) runner-up Point of Entry out of a mare by Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Awesome Again, Tuggle’s pedigree is loaded with stamina. That’s why it was noteworthy to see him break his maiden sprinting just five furlongs at Belmont Park. Showing excellent speed, Tuggle set the pace and easily held off a late rally from the next-out winner Montauk Daddy to score by 1 ¾ lengths. Trainer Jeremiah Englehart is on fire with his juveniles at Saratoga, winning with five of his first dozen starters, and Tuggle should appreciate the added furlong of the Saratoga Special. He has a live chance to win right back.
Enjoy the racing!