Del Mar Pinehurst Wires Del Mar Futurity September 6, 2021 Credit: Ernie Belmonte Del Mar Pinehurst Wires Del Mar Futurity September 6, 2021 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article DEL MAR, CA – Despite being the lesser-bet of the two entries bearing the same silks and trainer of record, Pinehurst put his nose in front from the start and led gate to wire in Monday’s $300,000 Runhappy Del Mar Futurity (G1). Del Mar Full Card Plays Available Now There’s a reason we’re the #1 trusted source for premium racing picks & info. Find Out Why Pinehurst exited post 4 as the 4/1 second choice in the field of six juvenile colts and Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith piloted him straight to the front, where he posted opening fractions of :22.09 and :44.77. Extending his advantage while cornering, Pinehurst took off at the top of the stretch and held safely to win the 7-furlong fast dirt sprint by 4 1/2 lengths in 1:23.55. “When we ran last time, he stumbled pretty badly coming out of there, but he still made the lead, so I knew he was plenty quick,” said Smith, who won his first stakes of the meet on Closing Day. “We beat a horse that day named Enbarr and I knew they were real high on him, so I figured I was sitting on a good horse.” Longshot California-bred Finneus (35/1), a $200,000 yearling purchase, rallied down the center of the lane to take second by a 1/2-length over American Xperiment. Previously undefeated Best Pal Stakes (G2) winner Pappacap was seemingly full of run while stuck on the rail for much of the race and had nothing left once clear, finishing another 1/2-length further back in fourth. The 3/5 heavy favorite Murray and Olympic Legend completed the order of finish. Like the winner, Murray is a Bob Baffert trainee co-owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, Golconda Stable, and Siena Farm. Pinehurst’s win followed a debut 5-furlong score over this track on August 1, when Smith kept the son of Twirling Candy on the front end from the beginning before winning by a 1/2-length. Purchased for $385,000 as a yearling, he has now banked $222,000. “I could see that Murray didn’t have it today; he was struggling early on,” Baffert said. “I’m just glad that I had two good horses and one of them had it, even if the other one didn’t. I’ve been blessed over the years with so many good owners and so many good young horses. Mike Smith broke his maiden, so it was natural to have him back. He’s a great rider and you give him a live one, he knows what to do.” Pinehurst returned $10 to win, $5.40 to place, and $4 to show. Finneus brought back $18 to place and $7.80 to show. American Xperiment paid $5 to show.
DWBS 143: Horse Racing and Sports Betting Theory Aaron and Papa Dude get serious this week, exploring and… Read More
BLINKERS OFF 613: Shoemaker Mile Preview and Rapid-Fire Picks The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for Monday’s $500,000… Read More
The Magic Mike Show 468: Canterbury Park Saturday Late Pick 5 Preview The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
The Magic Mike Show 467: Horseshoe Indianapolis Wednesday Late Pick 5 Preview The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
2023 Penn Mile Stakes Preview & FREE Picks | Major Dude Brings Class, Irad Ortiz To Penn National Aaron previews the 2023 Penn Mile Stakes (G2) from Penn… Read More
2023 Belmont Stakes Contenders | Latest News & Updates Aaron discusses the latest news & updates for the 2023… Read More
Rocket Picks 🚀: Churchill Downs and Belmont Park for June 1, 2023 Let’s get another big Thursday of racing kicked off today!… Read More
2023 Blame Stakes Preview & FREE Picks | Barber Road Steps Back Up Following Keeneland Win Aaron previews the 2023 Blame Stakes (G3) from Churchill Downs,… Read More