How to bet the 2025 Del Mar Futurity

Conditioner Bob Baffert will aim for his mind-boggling 19th win in the Del Mar Futurity (G1), which will take place on Sunday afternoon at Del Mar. The $300,000 tilt run for two-year-olds at seven-eighths on the main oval attracted a strong field of six, led by four from the powerful Baffert brigade. 

Del Mar Futurity Wagers

• $20 win #6 Litmus Test ($20)
• $10 exacta box 2-6 ($20)
• $5 trifecta 2,6 with 2,6 with 5 ($10)

I love the outside draw for #6 Litmus Test and will give him the nod at what might be a fair price at post time. The $875,000 yearling purchase debuted on the oval on Aug. 16 and had to work hard to graduate, which I feel will only help him going forward. Baffert's charge was well backed in that 5 1/2-furlong heat and delivered, and the bay shows two swift morning drills in the interim, as well. By red hot sire Nyquist, the Kentucky-bred will likely sit just off of a fast and contested pace prior to inching clear in the lane with Tyler Gaffalione inheriting the mount. 

Superb debut victor #2 Brant brought a whopping $3 million in the spring and didn’t disappoint in his unveiling on July 26 when driving home to a visually impressive triumph. The son of standout sire Gun Runner has posted a quartet of solid morning moves in advance of his stakes bow, highlighted by a rapid six panels on the course last weekend. While he endured an ideal voyage at first asking, the good-looking gray still gave me the impression of a youngster who will thrive with more ground going forward. The colt will always be in the mix with Flavien Prat coming out to retain the ride. 

#5 Desert Gate bagged the Best Pal S. (G3) last time at 1-5 odds to move his mark to a perfect two-for-two for Baffert. The chestnut son of Omaha Beach has yet to be tested and will likely need to step forward a bit to take down this excellent cast of prospects. He’s done little wrong in advance of his biggest challenge to date and wouldn’t be a surprise. Juan Hernandez will pilot the March foal and might try to obtain the lead early on against this talented group.