Klimt wins Del Mar Futurity (G1) for Baffert, Shah

Kaleem Shah got his first and Bob Baffert his record 13th Del Mar Futurity (G1) victory on Monday with an overwhelming 4 1/4-length win in Del Mar’s signature race for 2-year-olds.

Winner of last month’s Best Pal S. (G2), also at Del Mar, Klimt was nevertheless the second choice in the wagering behind the flashy maiden winner Straight Fire. Klimt would get the better of his foe in the Futurity, though, rolling by him in mid-stretch to win with authority in 1:21.80 (VIDEO).

“We were excited coming in here. I think Rafael (Bejarano) rode him perfectly. The way (Klimt) leveled off, we know he can run two turns. “

Baffert went to $435,000 to land Klimt at this year’s OBS March sale of 2-year-olds in training sale, where the colt was consigned by Eddie Woods, agent. A son of Quality Road out of the stakes-placed mare Inventive, Klimt is now 3-0-0 in four starts and has earned $336,960.