Luminance to miss Debutante with sore shins

DEL MAR, Calif. – Luminance, the Bob Baffert-trained filly whose July 20 debut was among the most impressive wins of the summer by a 2-year-old of either gender, will not make the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Aug. 30.

Baffert said via text Tuesday that Luminance has sore shins, and that he has backed off her training.

A Tale of the Cat filly owned by Kaleem Shah, Luminance was an open secret in her debut during opening weekend of the Del Mar meet. Despite a slow start and a wide trip, Luminance ($3) rolled to a 2 1/2-length win in 57.39 seconds for five furlongs.

Luminance earned an 87 Beyer Speed Figure and was expected to be among the favorites for the seven-furlong Debutante. Baffert did not specify how much time the setback would cost the filly.

Even without Luminance, the Debutante is shaping up as an attractive race. Candidates include Sorrento Stakes winner Sunset Glow and runner-up La Grange, along with flashy debut maiden winners Tara’s Tango and Her Emmynency.