Baffert pair square off in deep Del Mar Futurity

DEL MAR, Calif. – Before the Del Mar season started, Eight Rings and Garth were working in company, burning up the track with gate drills that were the fastest at the distance. Eight Rings made his debut first, on Aug. 4, and won as advertised, romping by 6 1/4 lengths at 3-5 while earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 94. Gulp.

Garth was up second, six days later, and understandably was sent off at 1-5. He lost.

Both will start for the second time Monday in the Grade 1, $300,000 Runhappy Del Mar Futurity, one trying to retain his position as the best 2-year-old in the West, the other seeking to rebound from a surprising defeat. Both have the biggest edge when it comes to this race. They are in the barn of trainer Bob Baffert.

Since 1996, Baffert has won the seven-furlong Futurity a record 14 times, with horses who went on to be champion 2-year-old, Derby winners, even a Triple Crown winner.

Because of that, the Futurity has become one of the most anticipated races of the meet here, every year. It is the traditional closing-day feature, this year bringing to an end a 36-day meet that has shown remarkable resilience, notably five-day-a-week racing following a tumultuous spring on this circuit when racing, when it occurred, was frequently truncated to three days per week.

The Futurity – race 9 on a 10-race card Monday – often is a preview of coming attractions for the big fall races for 2-year-olds and next spring’s classics for 3-year-olds. Just this decade, the winner’s roster includes champions American Pharoah, Nyquist, and Game Winner, two of those trained by Baffert, the other by Doug O’Neill, who, like Baffert, has two horses in this year’s Futurity. Eight are in this year’s race, and in terms of depth, it’s one of the best editions in years.

Eight Rings, a dark bay colt with a star smack dab in the middle of his forehead, won first time out at 5 1/2 furlongs. The form of that race was confirmed Wednesday when runner-up Express Train crushed maidens going a mile. Being as he’s by Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker, extra distance should make Eight Rings all the more formidable.

“He was working really well. We knew he was a nice horse. But we didn’t expect him to win that impressively,” Baffert said. “He’s handled everything really well. He’s really light on his feet. Like the good ones, he doesn’t get tired.”

Baffert’s biggest concern is that Eight Rings landed post 2. He had post 4 in a six-horse field first time out. As in his debut, Drayden Van Dyke is up Monday.

“I wish he was drawn better,” Baffert said.

Garth, by Into Mischief, switches to Mike Smith for his second start and adds blinkers. American Pharoah was a maiden when he won the Futurity in 2014 for Baffert.

“He and Eight Rings had been working together,” Baffert said. “Maybe he just needed the out. Mike worked him the other day, and I asked him if we should run in the Futurity or a maiden race. He said we should take a shot at the Futurity. I put a little blinker on him for his last work, and he just cruised.”

Garth lost to Storm the Court, who won the Aug. 10 maiden race by 1 1/2 lengths while earning a Beyer of 76. Storm the Court got the worst of the draw Monday, landing the rail. Flavien Prat, aboard first time out, is back.

“He’s got speed, but there’s speed right next to him,” said Peter Eurton, who trains Storm the Court. “Fortunately, I’ve got one of the best riders in the country.”

O’Neill has Defense Wins, second in his lone start to subsequent Best Pal winner Collusion Illusion, and Fore Left, third as the favorite in the Best Pal behind Collusion Illusion and Wrecking Ball.

Collusion Illusion is passing this race, but Wrecking Ball is not, and he looks dangerous. Wrecking Ball won first time out before his runner-up finish in the Best Pal. He had inside draws both times and got off to poor starts. He lands the advantageous outside slot this time.

Peter Miller, who trains Wrecking Ball, also sends out Nucky, who beat high-priced maiden claimers in his local debut Aug. 21, his fourth career start.

The speedy Ginobili wheels back 16 days after a sharp win against maidens following a disappointing performance first time out.

“He got dirt in his face and he flipped his soft palate,” trainer Richard Baltas said of Ginobili’s debut.

“I put a figure-eight on him last time,” Baltas said, referring to a bridle that can help a horse who flips his palate, “and put him on the lead. He’s coming back quick. But we’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. He’s acting like he wants to run.”