2023 Del Mar Futurity at a Glance

Racing
Prince of Monaco, Best Pal Stakes, Del Mar Futurity, Eclipse Sportswire
Prince of Monaco, above winning the Best Pal Stakes in August at Del Mar, looks like a standout among the seven entrants for the $300,000 Runhappy Del Mar Futurity on Sunday. (Eclipse Sportswire)

This year marks the 76th renewal of the Runhappy Del Mar Futurity, a race that serves as the marquee race on closing day of the summer meeting at Del Mar.

The Del Mar Futurity in recent years has been won by West Coast standouts who went on to glory in U.S. classic races like 2010 Preakness winner Lookin At Lucky, 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, and 2016 Kentucky Derby victor Nyquist. Let’s take a closer look at this year’s cast of seven 2-year-olds bidding for a Grade 1 win Sunday at the seaside track.

Runhappy Del Mar Futurity

Racetrack: Del Mar, Del Mar, Calif.

Date: Sept. 10

Purse: $300,000

Distance: 7 furlongs

Race: 10

Post time: 8:59 p.m. ET

Notable winners: Dr. Schivel (2020), Game Winner (2018), Nyquist (2015), American Pharoah (2014), Lookin At Lucky (2009), Midshipman (2008), Stevie Wonderboy (2005), Declan’s Moon (2004), Silver Charm (1996), Bertrando (1991), Best Pal (1990), Althea (1983), Gato del Sol (1981), Flying Paster (1978), and Tomy Lee (1958).

First held: 1948

1. Prince of Monaco: Two wins in as many starts by a combined margin of 12 ¼ lengths. By Equibase Speed Figure, he’s the fastest in the field by 14 points and enters off a dominant win on this track in the Grade 3 Best Pal Stakes. Looks like a standout.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat; TRAINER: Bob Baffert

2. Valiant Knight: Uncle Mo colt has won three of six while racing in Wyoming. A class test if ever there was one here debuting for new connections in a Grade 1. He’s a complete wild card but does not look fast enough on paper.

JOCKEY: Erick Garcia; TRAINER: Adan Farias

3. Mirahmadi: Stablemate of probably heavy favorite from barn of trainer Bob Baffert. Still seeking his first win in his fourth start. Seems to have a knack for finding trouble.

JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Bob Baffert

4. Raging Torrent: Best Pal Stakes third-place finisher has 8 ¾ lengths to make up on that race’s winner, Prince of Monaco. A threat to fill out the exacta and trifecta but turning the tables on his familiar rival looks like a tough task.

JOCKEY: Antonio Fresu; TRAINER: Doug O'Neill

5. Rothschild: Enters off of front-running 5 ¼-length romp in his second start after finishing fifth in his debut. Looks like a promising prospect and the main threat to Prince of Monaco.

JOCKEY: Ramon Vazquez; TRAINER: Tim Yakteen

6. Next Level: Winless in two starts but enters Del Mar Futurity after showing significant improvement in a second-place finish at Del Mar in a maiden special weight race in which he led into the stretch. Trainer Keith Desormeaux knows a thing or two about upsets in big races.

JOCKEY: Kent Desormeaux; TRAINER: Keith Desormeaux

7. Mary's Boy Bolt: Pulled off a 50.60-1 shocker in his first start for trainer Mick Ruis Sr. Aug. 26 going a mile on this main track. Interesting cutting back in distance but he might not be fast enough for more than a minor award.

JOCKEY: Ricardo Gonzalez; TRAINER: Mick Ruis Sr.

THE PICK: Prince of Monaco

LIVE LONGSHOT: Mary's Boy Bolt

SUPERFECTA: 1-5-7-6

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