Tenma upsets Del Mar Debutante for Baffert's 11th win in race

As has been known to happen, it was the other Baffert again Saturday at Del Mar in the 74th running of the Grade 1, $301,000 Del Mar Debutante as the Nyquist filly Tenma came running late to take down honors by an oh-so-slim nose in the feature.

Trainer Bob Baffert was in Kentucky and had his trusty right-hand man Jimmy Barnes saddle the winner. The trainer also had sent out Zedan Racing Stables’ Nooni, the 4-5 favorite in the seven-furlong dash, but she could only finish a troubled fifth in the field of seven 2-year-old fillies.

Tenma provided another stark contrast with her score. The victory was the 10th in the Debutante for the trainer and his track-leading 175th added-money tally. Conversely, the winning rider, Kazushi Kimura, was scoring his first stakes victory at the seaside oval.

Kimura said the winner got a perfect setup behind two dueling leaders.

“I rode her the other day when she won first time our and she did well closing. The plan was to try to do the same thing today. I saw those two fillies up front working on each other and I was happy with my spot. She closed well for me. I think she’s going to want to run farther.”

Tenma is owned by the Baoma Corp. of Charles Chu from North Andover, Mass. It was her second tally in her second outing after having clicked in a straight maiden affair at Del Mar on Aug. 18. She was an $850,000 purchase at a 2-year-old in training sale earlier this year.

Finishing second in the Debutante was Medallion Racing, Aldabbagh or Strauss’ Vodka With a Twist, who was handled by Mike Smith. Running third, nine lengths farther back, was Davis or Great Friends Stables’ So There She Was, who had Antonio Fresu in the saddle.

Tenma earned a first prize of $180,000 and increased her bankroll to $225,000.

The winner was the second favorite and returned $8.00 to her $2 backers on the day.