Gaming lands Pegram, Baffert another Del Mar Futurity win

DEL MAR, Calif. – Mike Pegram had seen this before, four other times to be exact. He insisted that it never gets old.

A win in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity is the perfect way to end a summer.

On Sunday, Pegram was in the winner’s circle with racing partners Paul Weitman and Karl Watson after Gaming ($9.80) stormed to the lead in early stretch to win the $301,000 race at seven furlongs by 1 3/4 lengths over McKinzie Street.

“He’s the real deal,” a beaming Pegram said.

Gaming gave Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert a record 18th win in the track’s leading annual race for juveniles. Baffert first won the Del Mar Futurity in 1996 with Silver Charm, who won the Kentucky Derby eight months later.

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Silver Charm, a fan favorite, was the first of seven consecutive wins in the Del Mar Futurity for Baffert. The last winner in that streak was Icecoldbeeratreds in 2002, Pegram’s first Del Mar Futurity winner.

“Bobby won this race several times before I won it,” Pegram said Sunday. “It was one that I wanted to win.”

At the time, Pegram was the sole owner of his horses. He formed a partnership with Watson and Weitman in ensuing years. The trio, racing in Pegram’s familiar red and yellow silks, have won the Del Mar Futurity with Lookin at Lucky (2009), Drill (2011), Cave Rock (2022), and now Gaming.

“It’s a credit to Bob,” Pegram said. “He’s the king.”

Pegram joins Golden Eagle Farm as the only five-time winners of the Del Mar Futurity, a race first run in 1948. Golden Eagle Farm, operated by the late John and Betty Mabee, won the Del Mar Futurity with four trainers from 1990-98 – Baffert, Bob Hess Jr., Gary Jones, and Ian Jory. With Baffert, Golden Eagle won the futurity with Souvenir Copy in 1997 and Worldly Manner a year later.

Gaming, bought for $250,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Co. Sale of 2-year-olds in training in March, was one of three runners in Sunday’s seven-horse field trained by Baffert. He also started Citizen Bull, the 13-10 favorite, and Getaway Car, who was 9-5. They finished third and fourth.

Gaming is by Game Winner, who won the 2018 Del Mar Futurity for Baffert and owners Gary and Mary West.

Gaming is unbeaten in two starts. He won a maiden race at 6 1/2 furlongs in his debut Aug. 11 by leading throughout. He closed from fifth in the Del Mar Futurity, chasing a quick early pace.

Gaming is expected to have his next start in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 5 at Santa Anita. The $300,000 American Pharoah Stakes is a prep race for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at the same distance on Nov. 1 at Del Mar, and a test of stamina for the 2-year-old colt.

“When we bought him, we thought he’d go two turns,” Pegram said. “We’ll find out soon.”

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