09/05/2012 10:04PM

Del Mar Futurity: Rolling Fog a record-setter for Baffert, Bejarano

By Jay Privman
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Benoit & Associates
Rolling Fog wins the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity, giving jockey Rafael Bejarano a record 13 stakes wins at the meet and trainer Bob Baffert his 11th Futurity victory.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Putting a final flourish on what had been a terrific meeting for both, trainer Bob Baffert won a record 11th Del Mar Futurity, and Rafael Bejarano set a single-season record for stakes wins by a jockey with 13, when Rolling Fog scored a mild surprise in the Grade 1, $250,000 Futurity on closing day Wednesday at Del Mar.

Rolling Fog ($16.60) raced just outside the early pacesetter, Caballo Del Cielo, for the first half-mile of the seven-furlong race, surged to the front at the top of the stretch, and held off 8-5 favorite Know More to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

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Scherer Magic was third and was followed, in order, by Capo Bastone, Caballo Del Cielo, Gabriel Charles, Switch to the Lead, The Whole Deal, I’ve Struck a Nerve, Pure Loyalty, and Heir of Storm.

Both Capo Bastone and Gabriel Charles were compromised by traffic on the far turn.

Rolling Fog completed seven furlongs on Polytrack in 1:22.96. He is now 2 for 2, having won his debut on Aug. 4. The Del Mar Futurity win earned Rolling Fog a fees-paid berth into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Nov. 3 at Santa Anita through the Win and You’re In program.

“This horse had been training so great and today he ran to it,” Bejarano said.

Baffert was not in attendance Wednesday. He was at his home in La Canada, Calif., near Santa Anita, having left the area following the death on Monday of his father, Bill Sr., nicknamed “The Chief.”

“I think The Chief gave Rolling Fog a little push turning for home,” Baffert said on Twitter after the race.

Baffert thus swept the major races for 2-year-olds, having won the Debutante for fillies with Executiveprivilege on Saturday. The Futurity, though, is Baffert’s domain. His 11 wins have all come since 1996.

“This is a Grade 1. The stakes are important. A Grade 1 is important,” said Jim Barnes, Baffert’s assistant, who saddled Rolling Fog.

Rolling Fog, a colt by Posse, is owned by Arnold Zetcher.

Bejarano was the leading rider at the meet. Baffert finished second, one behind Peter Miller.

 

 

 

HandicapperErni More than 1 year ago
Rafael Bejarano now won his 13th stakes win of the meeting. Passing by four riders – Chris McCarron, Corey Nakatani, Laffit Pincay Jr., and Gary Stevens. Well deserved that Bejarano having the record with these group of great jockeys. Could have a chance at passing the record. Jockey Joe Talamo did tie the record of 12 as well today in one of the 4 feature races so Talamo would probably be included too. But Bejarano has one more stakes win. To note I think this is by far talamo's best meet ever even without the riding title too. Talamo has come along way since he got started out here. I think this his established year as a journeyman too since being 2nd leading rider at Hollywood park and del mar.
DrSmoke120 More than 1 year ago
Great name...roll on
Hawksian More than 1 year ago
Great win by Rolling Fog but was still very impressed by Know More.
JoyJackson21 More than 1 year ago
Congratulations to Rolling Fog and all of his connections on the record-breaking win. Nice long shot price, too. Something you don't see too often when a Baffert-trained horse wins a stakes race. BB has an affinity for this race. Congratulations to Rafael Bejarano on his own record as well. Excellent effort was put in as well by Know More to snag the place position. He's an up and comer. I like his talent and determination. And my condolences once again to Bob Baffert on the passing of his father, Bill, earlier this week. Your father will be missed.
Dominic More than 1 year ago
Im glad Bejarano is Bafferts go to jockey now so he will have a good chance of winning a triple crown race.