Baffert notches 20th 2-year-old maiden victory

DEL MAR, Calif. - The first-time starter Kingly gave trainer Bob Baffert his 20th win with a 2-year-old maiden this year Saturday at Del Mar.

Kingly, a full brother to the stakes winners Mohaymen and New Year’s Day, won a six-furlong race by three-quarters of a length over Stretford End, the 3-5 favorite. Kingly ($10.20) was always near the front, while racing on the inside under jockey Drayden Van Dyke.

“He’s bred to be a good horse,” Baffert said. “He showed me a lot. He showed me more in the afternoon than in the morning, that’s a positive.”

Kingly, by Tapit, is owned by Clearview Stables.

Baffert’s 2-year-old maiden race winners include the stakes winners Chasing Yesterday, Cruel Intention, Game Winner, Improbable, Mother Mother, and Much Gusto.

Game Winner, unbeaten in four starts, won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs on Nov. 2.

Cruel Intention, who won the Golden State Juvenile Stakes for California-breds at Santa Anita, is being rested as is Der Lu, who was fourth in the Grade 1 Chandelier Stakes at Santa Anita on Sept. 29, Baffert said.

Roadster, third to Game Winner as the 3-5 favorite in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 3, recently resumed training for a scheduled comeback at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting.