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. :: Play to Win at Del Mar! Get DRF Past Performances, Clocker Reports, Picks, and Betting Strategies all in one place.  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.