Pinehurst will start in Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Baffert says

ARCADIA, Cali. - Pinehurst, the winner of the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 6, will have his next start in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar on Nov. 5, trainer Bob Baffert confirmed Sunday.

Pinehurst is unbeaten in two starts – a maiden race at five furlongs on Aug. 1 and the $300,500 Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs by 4 1/2 lengths. The BC Juvenile is run at 1 1/16 miles.

Since the Del Mar Futurity, Pinehurst has had two published workouts, including a half-mile in 51 seconds at Santa Anita on Sept. 27.

Baffert said Sunday that race plans have not been determined for Censorship and Grace Adler, who finished fourth and fifth in the Grade 2 Chandelier Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on Friday.

:: Win big at Santa Anita: Get DRF Past Performances, Picks, Clocker Reports and Betting Strategies.

Grace Adler was beaten for the first time in her third start. She won the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante at seven furlongs by 11 1/4 lengths on Sept. 5.

Baffert said Grace Adler “didn’t pick her feet up.”

The BC Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 5 remains a possibility for both fillies.

“They came back and they both look good,” Baffert said. “I’ll monitor them and breeze them.”

The Chandelier was won by Ain’t Easy, who is unbeaten in two starts for trainer Phil D’Amato. Ain’t Easy is on schedule for the BC Juvenile Fillies.

D’Amato said there are no further race plans in 2021 for Elm Drive, who finished last of seven in the Chandelier. Elm Drive won the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes at six furlongs at Del Mar on Aug. 6, but was seventh of eight in the Del Mar Debutante.

“She will get a little bit of a break and run in one-turn races at the beginning of the year,” D’Amato said. “I think she’ll regroup nicely.”