Baffert eyes American Pharoah Stakes for Game Winner, Roadster

DEL MAR, Calif. – Bob Baffert had conflicting emotions Tuesday morning at Del Mar over the result of the Del Mar Futurity on Monday, for while he was gratified that Game Winner prevailed while being wheeled back on short rest, he admitted he was “really disappointed” over the way favored Roadster performed.

Game Winner won the Grade 1 Futurity just 16 days after a maiden win, his victory was the 14th for Baffert in the Futurity in the last 23 runnings. Game Winner got a Beyer Speed Figure of 93, a 16-point improvement from his maiden victory.

“I thought he ran great coming back that quick,” Baffert said at his barn. “He’s a big, heavy horse. He sat just outside, cruising.”

Baffert employed jockey Mario Gutierrez on Game Winner, in large part, Baffert said, because Gutierrez has been working recently with the great Hall of Fame rider Laffit Pincay Jr., whom Baffert holds in high regard. Joel Rosario rode Game Winner in his debut Aug. 18, when he was in town to ride Accelerate in the Pacific Classic, but he was at Saratoga on Monday. Accelerate (in the Awesome Again) and Game Winner (in the American Pharoah) both could race next Sept. 29 at Santa Anita, and there is a good chance Rosario will have the mount anew.

Regardless, both Game Winner and Roadster will be sent two turns for their next starts. The American Pharoah – formerly the FrontRunner, and before that the Norfolk – is at 1 1/16 miles, the same distance as the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. There is the strong likelihood that Baffert will run both in that race, too, as he is reluctant to ship for a prep when a ship will be necessary for this year’s Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs on Nov. 2-3.

Roadster was beaten two lengths by Game Winner. He finished a half-length behind runner-up Rowayton. Baffert said he was “really disappointed” with Roadster’s race.

“He usually takes you there, but he was struggling,” Baffert said. “I expected more than that.”

Roadster will be given a chance to make amends, most likely in the American Pharoah.

“The Breeders’ Cup, they take you there,” said Baffert, who had 11 2-year-olds win maiden races here this summer, including Game Winner and Roadster. “I’m just going to run the ones with enough foundation. I’m not going to rush some of them just to make it.”

Rowayton, who finished second after setting the early pace, came out of the race “great,” Dan Ward, the local assistant to trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, said Tuesday morning.

“He’s still learning,” Ward said.

Rowayton sped off to a long lead and failed to change leads through the stretch.

Rowayton was the lone entrant for Hollendorfer and owner Larry Best after Instagrand – who won the Futurity prep, the Grade 2 Best Pal – was kept out of the race to await the American Pharoah.

Ward said Instagrand would have his next work Saturday at Santa Anita.