Brant (Benoit Photo)
Del Mar Press
DEL MAR, Calif.—Zedan Racing Stables’ Brant, a $3-million purchase who was 1/9 against five rivals in the 78th running of the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity Sunday at Del Mar, was put to the test in the seven-furlong headliner, but in the end, he passed it with the proverbial flying colors.
The son of champion Gun Runner made the lead out of the gate, retained his position around the turn, then met a stout foe in stablemate Desert Gate through the lane. But Eclipse Award rider Flavin Prat urged his gray favorite right-handed and the colt would not let the challenger past.
In the end, Brant, who covered the seven panels in 1:21.92, proved one length best in the Grade I headliner and returned the minimum $2.20 to his backers for a $2 win bet. Win wagering was the only thing allowed in the race.
Desert Gate is owned by the trio of Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman and he proved three and a quarter length better than third-place finisher Civil Liberty, who races in the silks of Great Friends Stables and Mark Davis.
The victory for Hall of Famer trainer Bob Baffert was his unprecedented 19th in the Futurity. It also was his 186th at Del Mar, far and away the most ever recorded by a conditioner at the seaside oval.
“It started off a little anxious there. He broke inward but he recovered quickly. Being pushed down toward the rail you have to be placed forward. He’s a really talented horse. Actually, they all are. We’re very happy,” said Jimmy Barnes, Baffert’s assistant trainer.
The tally for rider Prat was his fourth in the Futurity, the last three in a row for Baffert. Prat now has 102 stakes wins at Del Mar, fourth most all time by a rider.
“I think he was ready for the day. When we broke, he was very quick, he was very comfortable. He took a nice breather around the turn, and we made it to the finish line,” Prat stated.
The Del Mar Futurity is a Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen race, meaning it provides a bonus toward the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in this case. Brant, therefore, has earned a $30,000 credit toward entry fees into the juvenile championship race, which will be run at Del Mar on Friday, October 31.
Brant picked up a first prize of $180,000 for his second win in his second start and now has total earnings of $228,000.
The winning owner is Amr F. Zedan, a Saudi Arabian businessman.
