Pinehurst gives Baffert 15th Del Mar Futurity

Double-handed in pursuit of his 15th win in the Del Mar Futurity (G1), trainer Bob Baffert succeeded with his ostensible second-stringer, Pinehurst, as the odds-on Murray disappointed. In the preceding Del Mar Juvenile Turf, the American Pharoah colt Mackinnon obliged for Doug O’Neill.   

Del Mar Futurity (G1)

The Baffert duo brought broadly similar profiles as well-bred debut winners. Both Pinehurst and Murray were purchased at Keeneland September by bloodstock guru Donato Lanni on behalf of the same SF Racing-led consortium. Pinehurst sold for more ($385,000 versus Murray’s $300,000), and the son of Twirling Candy hails from the black-type-rich family of Harmony Lodge and Graeme Hall.

Yet Pinehurst was let go at 4-1 in the $300,500 Del Mar Futurity, while Murray was bet down to 3-5 favoritism. Perhaps bettors were too influenced by Murray’s 10 3/4-length romp with leading rider Flavien Prat. Pinehurst arguably ran as well in his unveiling, when having to beat another Baffert trainee from the tricky rail post. In any event, Pinehurst built upon that half-length debut score, while Murray regressed from his flashier effort.

With Hall of Famer Mike Smith back aboard for the Futurity, Pinehurst smoothly went to the lead from post 4. Murray and Saratoga shipper American Xperiment took up close stalking positions through fractions of :22.09 and :44.77.

Meanwhile, Best Pal (G2) winner Pappacap, who was trying to add to freshman sire Gun Runner’s burgeoning Grade 1 tally, was having an adventure on the rail. Lured to veer toward the opening near the chute, he over-raced once corrected, and looked green as he ran in snatches.

Pinehurst was the soul of professionalism as he kicked for home. Murray folded tamely on the turn, Pappacap found renewed energy, American Xperiment plugged on, and the 38-1 Finneus rallied well on the outside. But none could compare to Pinehurst, who drew away by 4 1/2 lengths and polished off seven furlongs in 1:23.55.

Finneus had a half-length to spare over third-placer American Xperiment, and Pappacap was the same margin back in fourth. There was a 4 1/2-length gap back to Murray, and longshot Olympic Legend trailed after bobbling at the break.

Mackinnon completed the mile in 1:36.24, advertising his hopes for the Nov. 5 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1).

“Doug (O’Neill) just basically told me to ride him with confidence,” Hernandez said. “We were doing OK until we got to the far turn, and I felt him get a little lazy on me. So when we went for home and he changed leads, I hit him left-handed with the stick one time, and he jumped back into it. From there we just went on with it. He’s a nice horse and the way he finished out today, I think he’ll like to run on.” 

Co-owned by ERJ Racing (the nom de course of the NHL Colorado Avalanche’s Erik Johnson) and Dave Kenney, Mackinnon sports a mark of 4-2-1-0, $117,860. He initially brought $200,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling, and Johnson picked him up for $285,000 at the same firm’s Gulfstream Sale in March.

Mackinnon was bred in Kentucky by International Equities Holding. His dam is the Grade 3-placed Scat Daddy mare Scat Means Go.