Maiden field looking toward Debutante at end of Del Mar
There is sufficient time between a maiden special weight race for 2-year-old fillies on Saturday at Del Mar and a return engagement in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante on Sept. 6. A few of the nine fillies entered Saturday may have the talent to run in both races, even without a win on Saturday.
“I think there will be a lot of maidens in the Debutante,” trainer Bob Baffert said Thursday.
The maiden race drew eight first-time starters and Mandragora Seeker, who was fifth in a maiden race at five furlongs on turf July 31. Much of the focus will be on the four first-time starters in the inside post positions – Kalypso, Park Avenue, Isn’t She Lovely, and Illumination.
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Several of those fillies may race near the front, their trainers say.
Isn’t She Lovely, by Into Mischief, is trained by Richard Mandella for owner and breeder Peter Blum. In the last month, Isn’t She Lovely has worked quickly at Del Mar, notably three furlongs in 34.40 seconds on Aug. 5 and the same distance in 35.80 on Tuesday.
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Mike Smith has been booked to ride.
“She trains like she’s pretty quick and pretty smart,” Mandella said. “We’re kind of excited about it. It looks like she can run.”
Park Avenue, by Quality Road, was purchased for $450,000 at the 2019 Keeneland September yearling sale. Trained by John Sadler for Hronis Racing, Park Avenue was bred by Blum and will be ridden by Flavien Prat.
Park Avenue had two gate workouts earlier this month, including five furlongs in 1:01 last Saturday. Sadler said Park Avenue does not appear reliant on having an early lead.
“She looks like a decent prospect,” Sadler said. “She’s got quality, and we’re excited to get her going.”
Baffert starts Illumination, a $900,000 yearling purchase by Medaglia d’Oro, and Kalypso, a $240,000 yearling purchase by Brody’s Cause.
Illumination, who will be ridden by Abel Cedillo, worked five furlongs from the gate in 59 seconds on July 30.
“She’s a fast filly,” Baffert said.
Illumination is out of Light the City, who won the 2014 Anoakia Stakes at Santa Anita.
Kalypso, who drew the rail, worked five furlongs from the gate in 59.60 seconds on Aug. 3 and will be ridden by Victor Espinoza.
“Kalypso is quick,” Baffert said. “It’s a starting point.”
The $250,000 Del Mar Debutante is run at seven furlongs and is the championship race of the summer meeting for 2-year-old fillies.