Speed on speed in Del Mar Debutante

DEL MAR, Calif. – When the fastest 2-year-old fillies in California meet Saturday in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante, the challenge facing Inspiressa and Bast is simple – reel in the fastest filly in the country.

Leucothea, whose 91 Beyer Speed Figure is the top figure this year by a juvenile filly, will not wait for company in the seven-furlong Debutante.

“If someone wants to go with her, they’re going to have to go awfully quick,” trainer Peter Miller said. “She’s very fast.”

Leucothea is one of multiple Debutante entrants with gas, and she probably is the speed of the speed. Catch her if you can. As for Inspiressa, her front-running maiden win earned a respectable 82 Beyer, which does not include additional points for style.

“It was the way she did it,” trainer John Sadler said, noting that Victor Espinoza “did not look like he was all in.”

Inspiressa won the race with something in reserve, but she may need to go all in Saturday. The filly she already defeated could turn the tables.

Bast, who broke slowly and raced greenly finishing second, adds blinkers.

“She was sort of veering in and out coming down the stretch,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “She came out of it really well, and came back and worked really well.”

Inspiressa is the 5-2 favorite, followed by Leucothea and Bast in the $300,000 Debutante, which drew eight entrants. With Amalfi Sunrise currently sidelined, the 2-year-old filly division should regain clarity in the Debutante.

Five others seek upsets. Stellar Sound wheels back 13 days after a better-than-looked debut victory, and, along with stablemate Bast, gives Baffert two chances. Other entrants include debut winner Lazy Daisy and Grade 3 winner Comical, both trained by Doug O’Neill; romping maiden winner Pure Xena; and Sorrento runner-up Powerfulattraction.

Although the $62,500 maiden-claiming win by Leucothea was not a surprise, even Miller admits he did not expect an annihilation.

“You’re always surprised by a horse that wins by 14 lengths,” Miller said. “We knew she could run. We didn’t know she would run the top 2-year-old Beyer in the country.”

Trouble is that race was 16 days ago. Is the timing a concern?

“A little bit,” Miller said. “But her attitude, the way she breezed [Aug. 26], the way she trains, tells us she’s ready to go.”

Inspiressa and Bast are running back less than three weeks after finishing one-two in a maiden special weight.

“If you’re looking for the rub, it’s [20 days] back,” Sadler said regarding Inspiressa. “I wanted to make sure she bounced back physically, and I kind of went old school and breezed her twice just to make double-sure I’m not asking too much of her.”

Inspiressa worked a bullet three furlongs after her maiden win, followed by a sharp five furlongs Monday. She will run her race, and she drew well – post 7 in an eight-horse field.

“It’s the perfect scenario in that she can go to the front, or she can lay a little off,” Sadler said. “She’s naturally quick, so she’s going to find herself in position.”

If front-runners Inspiressa and Leucothea compromise each other, the Baffert pair could exploit. Baffert said Bast needed her first start.

“I didn’t have her quite ready, and she didn’t give it up. They were two quality fillies,” he said, referring to Bast and Inspiressa.

Baffert has worked Bast twice since her debut and expects a forward move. He also believes Stellar Sound is much better than her low-rated debut suggests.

“Her race was a lot better than it looked, because she made a right-hand turn out of the gate,” Baffert said. “She came back to work really well; she’s got a lot of energy. She looks like a colt.”

KEY CONTENDERS

Inspiressa, by The Big Beast

Last Beyer: 82

◗ Purchased for $850,000 at a 2-year-olds sale in March, her owners include Hronis Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds. Both ownership groups were interested in Inspiressa at the sale and decided to combine resources.

Bast, by Uncle Mo

Last Beyer: 79

◗ Purchased for $500,000 as a yearling, her owner is Baoma Corp. Her rider is Drayden Van Dyke.

Leucothea, by Midshipman

Last 2 Beyers: 91-47

◗ The likely pacesetter will try to become the first horse since opening day to win a seven-furlong race by leading gate to wire. The last seven winners at the distance rallied from off the pace. Abel Cedillo rides Leucothea.

Stellar Sound, by Tapit

Last Beyer: 64

◗ Baffert is bullish about Stellar Sound. He believes she is better than her debut figure.

◗ There is precedent for wheeling back on short notice in the Debutante. The 2017 winner, Moonshine Memories, wheeled back in 14 days, 2005 winner Wild Fit wheeled back in 13.

◗ Mike Smith rides Stellar Sound.