Strong field for Debutante Stakes
DEL MAR, Calif. – For a Grade 2 stakes winner, Champagne Room is far from a standout in Saturday’s $300,000 Del Mar Debutante for 2-year-old fillies. There are too many other fillies capable of winning the Grade 1 race.
“You see that early in the year,” said Peter Eurton, who trains Champagne Room. “It doesn’t bother me in the least.”
Eurton is confident that Champagne Room will run well, but she will face a stern challenge in the seven-furlong race. The Del Mar Debutante leads to Grade 1 races at Santa Anita such as the Chandelier Stakes on Oct. 1 and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Nov. 5.
The Debutante drew a deep field. The maiden-race winners American Cleopatra, Morganite, and Noted and Quoted have strong credentials. Miss Southern Miss was second to Champagne Room in the Grade 2 Sorrento Stakes on Aug. 6.
Union Strike is still a maiden but ran well enough behind American Cleopatra on July 31 to be well regarded. Only Holy Mosey, the winner of a $62,500 claiming race for maidens Aug. 4, is considered an outsider.
Eurton won the 2011 Debutante with Weemissfrankie. Bob Baffert, who starts American Cleopatra and Noted and Quoted, has seven career wins in the Del Mar Debutante, most recently in 2012.
KEY CONTENDERS
Champagne Room, by Broken Vow
Last 2 Beyers: 78-69
◗ Champagne Room races for a partnership that includes Sharon Alesia, Ciaglia Racing, and Exline Racing Stable. Champagne Room was second to Morganite in her debut in a maiden race at five furlongs July 16 and was supplemented to the Sorrento Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs.
◗ Champagne Room closed from third in a field of five to win the Sorrento as the 6-5 favorite. On Saturday, Champagne Room breaks from post 4 and is likely to race as a stalker.
“I think she has a decent-enough mind,” Eurton said. “She can place herself. I think she can sit anywhere. She doesn’t have to be on the lead, but she’s got so much natural speed.
“I love the draw. I didn’t want the 1 or 2. We go into the race really healthy.”
American Cleopatra, by Pioneerof The Nile
Last Beyer: 74
◗ American Cleopatra is a full sister to American Pharoah, the 2015 Triple Crown winner and Horse of the year. American Cleopatra won her debut at 5 1/2 furlongs on July 31, leading throughout. Owned by Zayat Stables, American Cleopatra was 7-1 in that race but will be a much shorter price Saturday.
“It was exciting to watch her run like that,” Baffert said.
Noted and Quoted, by The Factor
Last 2 Beyers: 73-64
◗ Noted and Quoted rebounded from a fourth behind Morganite on July 16 to win a six-furlong maiden race by 9 1/2 lengths at 2-5 on Aug. 7. She closed from fourth to take the lead in early stretch.
“She’s training really well,” Baffert said. “I think it’s a pretty equal field. This is where they separate themselves.”
Morganite, by Gemologist
Last Beyer: 74
◗ Morganite won her debut July 16 by closing from off the pace with a wide rally to take the lead in early stretch. Trainer John Sadler deliberately skipped the Sorrento to focus on having Morganite prepared for the Debutante.
“We have had plenty of time to get her ready,” he said. “I’m confident with her going seven-eighths. I think it’s a good distance for her. You get plenty of run to the first turn.”
Miss Southern Miss, by More Than Ready
Last 3 Beyers: 75-66-67
◗ Miss Southern Miss drew the rail and could be part of the pace with the speedy American Cleopatra. Miss Southern Miss led in the Sorrento despite a troubled start and was beaten 1 1/4 lengths by Champagne Room.