Bottle of Rouge a record 12th Del Mar Debutante winner for Baffert

Bottle of Rouge came home a one-length winner in the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante (G1) on Aug. 6 to become the 12^th winner for the Bob Baffert stable.

The winner defeated her stablemate Explora, who led most of the seven-furlong trip. After a half-mile, Bottle of Rouge was 1 ½-lengths off the :44.62 pace. Explora had a one-length lead in midstretch, with Bottle of Rouge wearing her down and surging by in the final sixteenth to stop the timer in 1:23.05.

“The way the race set up, they were moving right along up front so it doesn’t surprise me that’s the way we ended up finishing,” said assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes. “They’re all lightly raced fillies. That’s her third start so that helps. We’ll take a one-two finish anytime. We’re just very proud of her.”

Bottle of Rouge is now 2-1-0 in three starts and has earned $240,000 who is owned by Baffert’s wife Natalie.