$3.55 million purchase Hejazi makes debut
DEL MAR, Calif. – Hejazi, who was purchased for $3.55 million at the 2-year-old sale at Timonium in May, makes his debut Saturday in race 5 at Del Mar for trainer Bob Baffert, who also sends out another well-regarded newcomer, Nullarbor, in the same 5 1/2-furlong maiden race.
Hejazi is by Bernardini and out of the Medaglia d'Oro mare G Note. He is owned by Amr Zedan, who owned Medina Spirit, owns Taiba, and is co-owner of the top older horse Country Grammer.
Baffert on Saturday morning at Del Mar said Hejazi "trained right along" following the sale.
"He's trained well," Baffert said.
Hejazi completed his works Aug. 12 with a five-furlong drill from the gate in 59 seconds that was the fastest of 56 at the distance. That was his lone bullet drill in the series of nine leading up to Saturday's race.
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"I didn't want him to get too racy," Baffert said, meaning he didn't want to get Hejazi too amped up early in his training.
Video of the colt's final work showed a horse with good speed.
Nullarbor, a Candy Ride colt purchased as a yearling for $500,000 by the large partnership headed by SF Racing and Starlight Racing, shows three gate works among his final six leading to his debut.
"He has speed," Baffert said of Nullarbor, who will be ridden by the meet's leading rider, Juan Hernandez.
Mike Smith rides Hejazi.