Roadster Expected Favorite in Del Mar Futurity

Trainer Bob Baffert has won the Del Mar Futurity (G1) a record 13 times, and No. 14 may be around the corner after an unexpected defection.

It may have been tight for favoritism in the $300,000 race between Speedway Stable's Baffert-trained Roadster and OXO Equine's undefeated Best Pal Stakes (G2) winner Instagrand, but when owner Larry Best decided not to run Instagrand, there's no doubt who the bettors' choice will be Sept. 3.

One of two Baffert entries—along with fellow debut victor Game Winner—Roadster was one of the buzz horses of the summer at Del Mar after Baffert told TMZ during an interview at the airport that the Quality Road  colt was his next big horse.

"The TMZ thing, when they asked me that, they kept asking me about the next one, and he just popped into my head, because he came around pretty quick," the Hall of Fame trainer said.

Roadster didn't disappoint July 29, when he stalked and pounced to win his debut by 4 1/4 lengths going six furlongs.

Best will not be without an entry, however, in the seven-furlong, closing-day feature at the seaside racetrack. The owner said Instagrand will point to the Sept. 29 American Pharoah Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park (formerly the FrontRunner Stakes), and Rowayton will go in the Futurity off his 1 3/4-length debut win July 21 at Del Mar.

"I had to take the emotion out of the decision," Best said of his call on Instagrand. "It looked like the Thrilla in Manila (against Roadster), and it's hard not to get excited about that, but over the last week, I got to thinking. I've got a good horse in Rowayton, and he's the one that needed a race.

"Instagrand already had a second race (in his 10 1/4-length Best Pal romp Aug. 11). Why am I pushing, at a 2-year-old level, a good horse in a three-week turnaround?"

BALAN: Instagrand Romps in Best Pal at Del Mar

Best admitted the conversation with Jerry Hollendorfer, who trains both colts, "wasn't an easy discussion," but he is happy with his decision, even if it doesn't result in a victory.

"It's not popular, but I think I'm going to have a rested horse going after better horses in the next race," Best said. "After I made the decision, and I went through all the entries and the videos, it's not like I removed my shot at winning. Rowayton is a good horse. ... I'm quite happy living with my decision."

Baffert admitted he wanted to see the draw before he decided whether Gary and Mary West's Game Winner would run in the Futurity, and he was happy with the outside stall in the field of seven. He's also using Tiago Pereira, a jockey he rarely legs up, to ride the Candy Ride  colt on short rest following his debut victory Aug. 18. Baffert said Joel Rosario, who was aboard for the debut score, will ride him next in the American Pharoah.

"If he runs well in this race, I know he can run in the Preakness (G1) after the Kentucky Derby (G1)," Baffert joked. "I was going to see how he drew before I decided whether to run him, and I could still change my mind, but he drew well. The longer the better for him."

Other Del Mar debut winners in the Futurity include Spin Lightning (1 1/4 lengths Aug. 12) and Sigalert (half-length Aug. 4), who will join last-out maiden-claiming winner Savagery and Best Pal second Sparky Ville to complete the field.

Entries: Del Mar Futurity (G1)

Del Mar, Monday, September 03, 2018, Race 9

• Grade I
• 7f
• Dirt
• $300,000
• 2 yo
• 6:05 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Sparky Ville (KY)	Gary L. Stevens	120	Jeff Bonde	20/1
2	2Rowayton (KY)	Drayden Van Dyke	120	Jerry Hollendorfer	3/1
3	3Roadster (KY)	Mike E. Smith	120	Bob Baffert	6/5
4	4Savagery (KY)	Joseph Talamo	118	Peter Miller	15/1
5	5Spin Lightning (KY)	Flavien Prat	120	Jeff Mullins	6/1
6	6Sigalert (NY)	Tyler Baze	120	John W. Sadler	8/1
7	7Game Winner (KY)	Mario Gutierrez	120	Bob Baffert	4/1