Chapter One set for debut in tough maiden sprint
?q=100)
The first-time starter Chapter One may very well have an early lead in what appears to be a tough maiden race for 2-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar on Saturday.
“He seems like he’s quick,” trainer Michael McCarthy said on Thursday. “This horse has a good turn of foot.”
Chapter One may need such speed to beat six rivals in Saturday’s third race.
Owned by the Coolmore partnership, Chapter One was purchased for $500,000 at the Fasig-Tipton mid-Atlantic 2-year-olds in-training sale in May. Chapter One, who worked a quick five furlongs in 59.60 seconds from the gate at Del Mar last Sunday, is by Yaupon, who is off to a notable start with his first crop of runners this year.
Yaupon, by Uncle Mo, is the sire of the Midwest stakes winners Crown the Buckeye and Sassy C W, as well as Emphasis, a winner in his first start at Saratoga on July 19, and Mohaven, a maiden race winner at Del Mar on Aug. 10.
“He’s getting some impressive 2-year-old winners,” McCarthy said.
Chapter One’s main rivals on Saturday are two well-regarded colts trained by Bob Baffert – Falcon Jet and Litmus Test.
Falcon Jet was second by 3 1/2 lengths to the Baffert-trained Buetane in a maiden race at six furlongs on Dec. 3. Litmus Test will debut on Sunday after quick works. By Nyquist, Litmus Test was purchased for $875,000 at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale.
The timing of Saturday’s maiden race, as well as a maiden race for 2-year-old fillies at 5 1/2 furlongs on Sunday, allow those runners to return for two Grade 1 stakes for 2-year-olds on the final weekend of the Del Mar summer meeting – the Del Mar Debutante on Sept. 6 and the Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 7. Both races are worth $300,000 and are run at seven furlongs.
Sunday’s race is led by two Baffert-trained fillies – the first-time starter Explora, and Cherry Cider, who was beaten a nose in a maiden race on July 19.
Explora, by Blame, worked a quick six furlongs in 1:11.60 from the gate on Aug. 8, and went an easy two furlongs in 24 seconds on Thursday. She drew post 3 in a field of 6, while Cherry Cider starts from the inside post.
Baffert, whose stable is annually stocked with 2-year-old prospects, is having a terrific meeting with juveniles. Through Thursday, he has won four maiden races and swept the two stakes for 2-year-olds at six furlongs last weekend – the Best Pal Stakes with Desert Gate and the Sorrento Stakes for fillies with Himika.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.