Tatters to Riches brings fast works, high hopes into debut

DEL MAR, Calif. – The 2-year-old Tatters to Riches is giving jockey Tyler Baze an excuse to dream.

“We’re definitely hoping he’s a Breeders’ Cup and a Derby horse next year,” Baze said Thursday.

Tatters to Riches has impressed Baze in morning workouts, leading to high hopes for the colt’s debut in a maiden special weight race at six furlongs in Saturday’s first race at Del Mar. Purchased for $1 million at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. auction of 2-year-olds in training in April, Tatters to Riches will be favored in a field of six.

Baze hopes for a win that will lead Tatters to Riches to the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs Sept. 4. Tatters to Riches breaks from post 5, which Baze said is an ideal draw.

“I’ve got a good post position, and I’ll use that to my advantage,” Baze said. “He’s pretty push-button.”

The field includes four other first-time starters, including two runners trained by Keith Desormeaux: Ayacara, by Violence, and Midknight Attache, by Midnight Lute. Jungle Warfare, who drew the outside post, was third in his debut at Santa Anita on June 10 and is the only runner with a start.

Tatters to Riches is owned by Red Barons Barn and Rancho Temescal and is trained by Jeff Mullins. By Union Rags, Tatters to Riches has worked quickly in recent weeks, notably a half-mile in 46.80 seconds from the gate at Santa Anita on July 9.

“I never expect a whole lot first time out,” Mullins said. “If he wins, it will be a bonus. It’s all about the experience the first time.”

Mullins attended the Florida sale and said Tatters to Riches was the last candidate for purchase on a shortlist of prospects.

“We’d run out of options,” he said. “I never [dreamed] we’d give $1 million. I was on the phone with the owners, and they told me to keep going. I had to keep asking, ‘Are you sure?’

“The purchase of the horse was an experience itself.”