Siphonizer ends Baffert's streak

DEL MAR, Calif. - In recent years at Del Mar, the 2-year stakes have been dominated by trainer Bob Baffert. But Baffert's streak was halted this summer by Richard Mandella, who made a clean sweep of the major stakes for 2-year-olds when Siphonizer captured the Grade 2, $250,000 Del Mar Futurity on Wednesday's closing-day card.

"I'm a 2-year-old trainer," the Hall of Fame trainer said, partly in jest.

As if to put an exclamation point on the season, Mandella also finished second in the Futurity with Minister Eric. Earlier in the meet, he won the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante with Halfbridled. Mandella teamed with jockey Julie Krone to win both the Debutante and Futurity.

Krone is going to cause the track's three paddock lawn jockeys, all of which resemble males, to be updated. The lawn jockeys are adorned with the silks of the winners of the season's three biggest races, and Krone swept them all, including the Pacific Classic with Candy Ride. She won nine stakes at the meet, more than any other rider.

As she did with Halfbridled, Krone brought Siphonizer through along the rail. He squeezed through inside of pacesetter Gulf of Mexico, was up by one length at mid-stretch, and was all out to prevail by a half-length over Minister Eric. He paid $12.80.

Perfect Moon, who won the Best Pal Stakes on Aug. 17, was another two lengths back in third.

Cooperation, the 2-1 favorite of the crowd of 16,006, finished fourth, ending Baffert's record Futurity win streak at seven. Gulf of Mexico faded to finish last in the field of five.

Gulf of Mexico led through fractions of 22.26 seconds and :44.51 for the first half-mile. Siphonizer had the six-furlong split of 1:09.42, and he completed seven furlongs in 1:23.10.

Siphonizer has now won twice in three starts. He won his debut here on Aug. 2, then finished fifth as the favorite in the Best Pal, a race in which he was trapped behind horses at a critical point. "He just could not get out," Mandella said.

Siphonizer, a son of Siphon, is owned by B. Wayne Hughes. Mandella said he would be pointed to the Norfolk Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting.

* Also on Wednesday, Fancee Bargain rallied powerfully in the late going to win the CERF Handicap, a restricted sprint for older fillies and mares. Frank Alvarado rode the winner for trainer Art Sherman.