Nyquist the one to beat but some new faces await in Del Mar Futurity

Nyquist can stake a claim as the best 2yo male in training with a victory in Monday’s $300,000 Del Mar Futurity (G1). A son of Uncle Mo, the Doug O’Neill-trained colt heads a field of eight in the closing-day feature.

Purchased for $400,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Florida March 2yo sale, Nyquist captured his debut at Santa Anita on June 5 and was bet down to even-money favoritism in the August 8 Best Pal (G2) at Del Mar. The Reddam Racing colorbearer delivered a spectacular 5 ¼-length victory, registering a whopping 102 BRIS Speed rating as well as a 106 Late Pace number.

The bay colt possesses plenty of tactical speed and figures to be up close from the start beneath regular rider Mario Gutierrez.

Blameitonthelaw could provide a stiff test for the well-regarded favorite. Conditioned by John Sadler, Blameitonthelaw recorded an eye-catching performance when making his debut at Del Mar on August 2, netting a 97 BRIS Speed rating while scoring by an easy 4 ¼ lengths. The Blame colt cost $320,000 at the OBS March sale earlier this year and will keep Tyler Baze in the saddle.

Bob Baffert won his record 12^th Del Mar Futurity with American Pharoah last year and the Hall of Fame trainer will seek a baker’s dozen with Mt Veeder. A son of Ghostzapper, the chestnut opened his racing career with a 2 ¼-length maiden special weight victory on August 15 and Martin Garcia will be back aboard the speedy colt.

Swipe and Annie’s Candy, the second- and third-place finishers from the  Best Pal, will both return for the Futurity. Rockin Bayou, a Louisiana-bred son of Forefathers who won at first asking over a rare sloppy track at Del Mar on July 18, is also part of the line-up along with maidens Archaeo and Nightly News.

The stakes action kicks off Monday with the $80,000 Pirate’s Bounty, a six-furlong event featuring a full cast of 12. Stakes victor Spirit Rules appears to be the horse to beat off a 6 ¾-length score over allowance/optional claiming foes that garnered a 105 BRIS Speed rating.

The $100,000 Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf follows the Futurity and attracted a capacity field of 12 for a mile on turf. The Jerry Hollendorfer-trained Imflatoutsweet must be considered formidable after a sharp 2 ½-length maiden tally over course and distance.

Nyquist winning the Best Pal courtesy of Benoit Photo