The two G1, $250,000 events for 2-year-olds that highlight the final weekend of the summer meeting – the Del Mar Debutante and the Runhappy Del Mar Futurity – are now just one week and eight days away, respectively.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who has won the Debutante eight times – most recently with Bast last year – and the Futurity 14 times – the last being with Game Winner in 2018 – was asked Saturday about his 2020 plans.
“Right now, today, I’d say I’m going to run Princess Noor in the Debutante, but I could add another one,” Baffert said. “And I’m going to run Spielberg in the Futurity.”
Princess Noor, a $1.350 million purchase by Zedan Racing Stables at the Ocala, FL, Sale in February, debuted here on August 22 with an impressive 2 ½-length victory at 5 ½ furlongs. Spielberg, a $1 million purchase at the Keeneland September Sale in 2019, made his racing debut here on August 8, finishing second, beaten 5 ¾ lengths, by Futurity nominee Dr. Schivel.
Speilberg worked 6 furlongs in 1:12.60 this morning. Other Debutante or Futurity hopefuls to work were: Debutante – Dixie’s Two Stents (5f, :59.00 from the gate) and Get On the Bus (5f, :59.60, from the gate); Futurity – Sonic Brees (4f, :51.40 on turf).
