Drill gets up in eventful Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity
Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman’s 2-year-old colt Drill gave Bob Baffert a record tenth win in the $250,000 Del Mar Futurity (G1) on closing day of the meet at the seaside track.
Drill was making his third start at the Del Mar meet and was coming off a maiden win at 6 1/2-furlongs on Aug. 13. Sent off at 4-1 in the Futurity, drilled stalked on the outside in fifth down the backside. Martin Garcia dropped closer to the rail around the turn, then had to swing back outside when he lacked room straightening for home. Garcia lost his whip inside the furlong marker as he drove towards the wire, and was bumped solidly in the final strides, but got up to win by a neck in 1:22.16.
The same ownership group won the Futurity two years ago with Lookin At Lucky, the eventual 2- and 3-year-old champion colt.
“These guys are lucky, but they’re lucky because they leave me alone,” Baffert said. “I just text them after I buy a horse for them and say, ‘You bought one.”
“I told Martin I want you to teach him today, but I want you to win also,” Baffert said. “He got him behind horses. He rode him with a lot of confidence. He’s learning how to run. I don’t even think he likes Polytrack that much. I’m excited that he came through.”
The Del Mar Futurity is a “Win and Your In” race for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) November at Churchill Downs.