By J.N. Campbell
'TDN Rising Star' and $950,000 Fasig-Tipton Select Yearling Sale grad, GSW Prince of Monaco (Speightstown), headlines the GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity on Sunday, as the Southern California meet closes its gates on another summer racing season.
Aiming for his 17th trophy in this race is Bob Baffert and the Hall of Famer not only has the aforementioned colt, winner last out of the GIII Best Pal S. at Del Mar and who is installed as the morning-line favorite at 2-5, but he also sends Mirahmadi (Into Mischief) to the post.
A $1.05-million Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase by the ownership consortium of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Dianne Bashor, Robert E. Masterson, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan and Tom Ryan, who are also involved with Stonestreet Stables in Prince of Monaco, Mirahmadi will look to rebound from being summarily disqualified and placed fourth after wavering down the stretch against maidens in what was his third start Aug. 26 at Del Mar.
Wearing the same silks as the morning-line favorite, Tim Yakteen trainee Rothschild (Uncle Mo) fetched $700,000 at the same Keeneland sale as his undefeated stablemate. The bay colt flashed early speed when he broke his maiden in his second career race by 5 1/4 lengths at Del Mar Aug. 25.
Also on the graded slate is the GIII Del Mar Juvenile Turf which features a number of hopefuls. Pin Oak Stud's Boltage (Bolt d'Oro) took to the grass at second asking when the 'TDN Rising Star' earned that honor by 5 1/4 lengths Aug. 24 at Del Mar. The Richard Mandella trainee will face off with Amerman homebred Endlessly (Oscar Performance), who was sharp on debut in Solano Beach July 30 for trainer Mike McCarthy. Flying under the radar is WSS Racing's Osage Creek (Speightster).
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