Hollendorfer has shot at Futurity-Debutante double

DEL MAR, Calif. – Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer has won the Del Mar Futurity and the Del Mar Debutante, but never both in the same year. He has a strong chance to accomplish the feat this year with the colt Instagrand and the filly Brill.

Instagrand is bound for the Futurity on closing day Sept. 3 following his dominating performance on Saturday in the Best Pal Stakes, for which he received a Beyer Speed Figure of 92. He is now 2 for 2.

Hollendorfer was particularly pleased with the way Instagrand broke. He was off a bit slowly in his first start, and on Saturday he had to wait in the gate while some of his rivals acted up before being loaded.

“He came out of the gate really well,” Hollendorfer said.

Brill, who won her debut earlier in the meet, will train right up to the Debutante on Sept. 1. She went five furlongs in 59.80 seconds Saturday.

“Great work,” Hollendorfer said.

Both the Futurity and Debutante are Grade 1, $300,000 races.

Hollendorfer trains both Instagrand and Brill for Larry Best’s OXO Equine. Drayden Van Dyke rides both horses.