Murray cool, calm, collected – and fast
DEL MAR, Calif. – In the post parade for Sunday’s second race at Del Mar, the 2-year-old colt Murray was sending mixed signals to jockey Flavien Prat in advance of his first start.
“I didn’t know what to expect because he was so relaxed,” Prat said. “It can go both ways. They can be focused or they can be lost.”
Murray, it turned out, had his act together. Murray stalked pacesetter Drink the Wind to the turn before pulling clear for a win by 10 3/4 lengths. Murray ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.37. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 78.
“I guess he wasn’t lost,” Prat said.
Murray, trained by Bob Baffert, is scheduled to have his next start in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs on Sept. 6, closing day of the summer season. The Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes at six furlongs on Aug. 7 is not in the plans.
“I guess I’ll sit on him,” Baffert said as he left the winner’s circle.
Saturday, the filly Dance to the Music won her debut in a promising style for trainer Mark Glatt and owners Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal. Ridden by Abel Cedillo, Dance to the Music led throughout a maiden special weight race at 5 1/2 furlongs, prevailing by 4 3/4 lengths in 1:04.44. Dance to the Music earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 77.
Dance to the Music was highly regarded in advance of the race by Glatt, who is pointing the filly to the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante at seven furlongs on Sept. 5.
“She showed up,” Glatt said Sunday morning. “She looked like she did it pretty easily.
“The way she ran yesterday, I think she’ll be as professional as anything in the Debutante. I think she can come off that maiden race and be right there.”