Bourbon and Ginger targets Del Mar Debutante after debut victory

DEL MAR, Calif. - Bourbon and Ginger is expected to start in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Sept. 6 after a hard-fought win in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs in her debut on Saturday.

Ridden by Mirco Demuro, Bourbon and Ginger was always near the front and won by a half-length over a fast-finishing Grandma Mary.

Trained by Richard Mandella for Spendthrift Farm, Bourbon and Ginger was purchased for $325,000 as a yearling at Keeneland last September.

“She’s very smart and quick,” Mandella said.

Grandma Mary started for the first time on Saturday, and is also a candidate for the Del Mar Debutante, according to owner, breeder and trainer Mick Ruis Sr. In a text message on Sunday, Ruis described Grandma Mary’s second-place finish as “an education.”

“She came back great,” he said.

The $300,000 Debutante is run at seven furlongs and is the leading race of the summer for 2-year-old fillies in California. Mandella won the 2023 Debutante with Tamara, who has since had only two subsequent starts.

Tamara, who is out of the multiple champion Beholder, has resumed workouts in the last month after being sidelined earlier this year with injury. Mandella said on Sunday that he does not have any specific race goals for Tamara.

“She’s doing well,” he said. “It’s a little early, but she's coming along pretty good.”

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