Trio of first-time starters may have major talent
DEL MAR, Calif. – Albeit, C.C. Zipp, and Pretty N Cool will have their first starts in what could be a memorable maiden race for 2-year-old fillies at five furlongs in Sunday’s sixth race at Del Mar.
All three fillies have left their trainers impressed by recent workouts and hopeful that a start Sunday will lead to races such as the $200,000 Sorrento Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on Aug. 12 or the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante on Sept. 5.
The maiden race drew a field of 11, all first-time starters, but will have a safety limit of 10 runners.
Albeit, a filly by Mineshaft, was purchased for $240,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. auction of 2-year-olds in training in Florida in March and races for Paul and Zillah Reddam. Albeit might need a longer race to be effective, trainer Doug O’Neill said.
“She’s okay, but what a tough race,” O’Neill said. “She doesn’t have a ton of gate speed. She’s shown a lot of ability. This might be a challenge. If she’s good enough, she can win despite all of that.”
Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer has two runners – C.C. Zipp, by City Zip, and Imflatoutsweet, by Sky Mesa. C.C. Zipp has worked quickly on several occasions at Los Alamitos in recent weeks, including six furlongs from the gate in 1:11 last Saturday.
Imflatoutsweet has shown quick works, too, but might be suited to a longer race, according to Dan Ward, Hollendorfer’s assistant.
“She’s a bit taller with a longer stride,” Ward said.
Trainer Bob Baffert starts the highly regarded Pretty N Cool, who was purchased for $160,000 at the 2014 Keeneland September yearling sale. Pretty N Cool, by Scat Daddy, had a sharp workout of five furlongs in 59 seconds from the gate at Santa Anita on July 12, the fastest of 57 recorded works at the distance.
“This will be tough first time out,” Baffert said. “I think the best thing is to run fifth and come back in the Grade 1, then win the Kentucky Oaks.”
Last summer, American Pharoah finished fifth in his debut and won the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity in his second start. He has not lost since, a span of seven wins that included a historic sweep of the Triple Crown series this spring.