DEL MAR — Every summer, amid the refreshing ocean breeze and soothing Bing Crosby music, the quest to identify the next top young thoroughbred racehorse begins here.
"There's nothing more exciting than having a really good 2-year-old," trainer Bob Baffert said. "It's like new recruits. Any sports franchise, they're excited about the rookies. You got to get a Reggie Bush."
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Sunday July 23, 2006 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 43 words Type of Material: Correction
Horse racing: An article on Del Mar racetrack in Sports on Wednesday reported the sire of Notional was In Access; the sire is In Excess. Also, that article reported that Ferdinand won the Kentucky Derby in 1987; Ferdinand won the Derby in 1986.
As the 43-day Del Mar meet begins today, Baffert's stable is stocked with young horses and high hopes. He said he could send out as many as 20 first-time starters before the summer is finished.
"You want to unleash the stars of the future," he said.
Del Mar, with its ideal placement in the racing calendar, attracts large fields of 2-year-olds getting their first chances to show whether they are pretenders or contenders.
Almost every summer, a top 2-year-old filly or colt emerges here, and being around to witness the first moments of star power produces an adrenaline rush, whether for the jockey, trainer, owner or fans.
Last year, Stevie Wonderboy got his maiden win at Del Mar, won the closing-day Del Mar Futurity and became the Eclipse Award winner for 2-year-old males. In 2004, Declan's Moon and Sweet Catomine followed similar paths, earning maiden victories at Del Mar before becoming champion 2-year-olds.
From 1996 through 2002, Baffert's horses won the Del Mar Futurity seven consecutive years. Silver Charm got his maiden win at Del Mar in 1996, then won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness in '97.
Ferdinand made his debut as a 2-year-old at Del Mar before winning the 1987 Kentucky Derby. Bertrando, Eliza, Itsallgreektome, Pleasant Stage and Tight Spot all began their careers at Del Mar in the 1990s before becoming major stakes winners.
It means there will be lots of buzz around the track as trainers unveil their promising 2-year-olds.
One good-looking Baffert colt already made his debut at Hollywood Park, the $1.2-million yearling purchase E Z Warrior, who won the Hollywood Juvenile Championship on the Fourth of July.
Baffert is reluctant to single out others until they run "because I've been disappointed where I thought they were good and didn't pan out."
Baffert has particularly high hopes for Malt Magic, a son of Cherokee Run who was a $320,000 yearling purchase, and Point Ashley, a daughter of Point Given who was bought for $725,000.
