Bafferts celebrate as Bottle of Rouge surprises in Del Mar Debutante
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DEL MAR, Calif. - Bottle of Rouge’s upset win in Saturday’s Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante was a family affair.
The filly is owned by Jill Baffert and trained by her husband, Bob. For Bob Baffert, the win was a record 12th victory in the track’s leading annual race for 2-year-old fillies.
Bob Baffert did not attend Saturday’s $301,000 Del Mar Debutante. He was in Kentucky for the upcoming Keeneland September yearling sale. Jill stayed in California to root Bottle of Rouge to a win over stablemate Explora, the 3-5 favorite.
“I’m so excited,” Jill Baffert said. “I knew she’d be up against it.
“I thought it was a salty race.”
Ridden by 59-year-old Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, Bottle of Rouge ($20.20) closed from fourth in a field of seven to win the Del Mar Debutante at seven furlongs by a length over Explora, who set the pace.
La Wally (10-1) closed from sixth to finish third, a half-length behind Explora.
Bottle of Rouge, who was timed in 1:23.05, was one of three Baffert-trained runners in the race. Himika, winner of the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes at six furlongs on Aug. 10, finished fourth at odds of 5-2, beaten 9 1/4 lengths.
Bottle of Rouge earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 76.
Bourbon and Ginger finished fourth, followed by Grandma Mary and Fourlynnes.
Explora started from the inside post and set early fractions of 22.05 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 44.62 for a half-mile. Ridden by Juan Hernandez, Explora led by 1 1/2 lengths after a half-mile and by a length with a furlong remaining. Explora was unable to hold off Bottle of Rouge in the final strides.
“It was a tough draw from the one,” Hernandez said. “I had to break running. She gave me everything she had. The winner is a nice filly.”
Smith rode Bottle of Rouge for the first time on Saturday. By Vino Rosso, Bottle of Rouge was second to Himika in a maiden race at Santa Anita on June 12, and won a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs by 6 3/4 lengths at Del Mar on August 9.
“Bob said you ride her like she’s yours,” Smith said. “We know she wants farther.”
Bottle of Rouge was Smith’s first win in a Grade 1 since Subsanador won the $1 million California Crown at Santa Anita last September.
Bottle of Rouge has earned $240,000. Bought for $100,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September yearling sale, Bottle of Rouge became a contender for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies at 1 1/16 miles at Del Mar on Oct. 31 with her win in the Del Mar Debutante.
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