The Del Mar Futurity (G1) dominance continues for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
Once again, Baffert finished the Del Mar meet strong with his 2-year-old Prince of Monaco winning the $300,500 Del Mar Futurity by three-quarters of a length over stablemate Mirahmadi on Sunday to close out the summer season
Prince of Monaco – Photo Credit Benoit Photo
It was Baffert’s record-extending 17th victory in the Futurity as he again was the top purse earnings trainer at Del Mar. From just 63 starters (20 winners), his stable totaled more than $2.4 million in winnings. Leading trainer Phil D’Amato had 21 winners from 134 starters and earnings of $2.3 million.
Undefeated in three starts, Prince of Monaco was ridden perfectly by Flavien Prat, who sat off the pace set by his stablemate, and then cruised home in the 7-furlong test in 1:22.65.
Sent off at 1-20, Prince of Monaco returned $2.10 on a $2 win bet. The colt is owned by multiple partners headed by SF Racing, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables. Previously, he won the Best Pal (G3) at Del Mar on Aug. 13.
“It was the right kind of trip we were looking for,’’ Baffert assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes said. “We weren’t sure about Mirahmadi, where he was going to be placed in the race, but he left there running. Prat just got comfortable on the inside and when he needed to get to the outside he did, and he accelerated. He’s pretty push button, pretty straight forward. I’m very proud of both of them.”
Prat said: “On the turn, he made his move and we made the lead. His teammate (Mirahmadi) was trying hard. But I think my horse was just waiting for something to come up to him. That didn’t happen. Can he run on? We won’t know until it happens, but he’s done everything right so far.”
The son of Speightstown, purchased for $950,000 as a yearling, has to be considered among the top contenders for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita on Nov. 3.