September 4, 2025
TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon
Record of Record
Already boasting a record 11 Del Mar Debutante (G1) victories, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert chases an even dozen with a trio of radiant rookies entered in Saturday’s renewal of the $300,000 contest.
The Baffert-led contingent features an undefeated graded stakes champion in Himika (Grade 3 Sorrento), maiden winner Explora (4 ¾ lengths), and recent maiden-breaker Bottle of Rouge.
Himika, a $900,000 purchase by Charles and Susan Chu’s Baoma Corp., has looked worthy of the hefty price tag early on, showing impressively in a 4 ¼-length conquest of the Sorrento last month.
The Chu’s and Baffert have struck gold together before, claiming the 2024 (Tenma) and 2019 (Bast) editions of the Del Mar Debutante.
Jumpstart
After reaching the mountaintop in last year’s running of the Kentucky Downs Turf Cup (G2T), Grand Sonata has yet to find his way back to the winner’s circle.
Perhaps a return to the site of his landmark score – and an additional $500,000 kicker – will provide just the spark the 6-year-old needs.
Out to defend his Turf Cup crown this Saturday, Grand Sonata will be welcomed by an improved purse of $2.5 million instead of the $2 million prize pool he won the lion’s share of last September.
Entering at 4-1 off a pair of seconds in the Arlington Millions (G1T) and United Nations (G2T), Grand Sonata opens as the narrow opening line choice.
In His Own World
It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.
That cliché is as old as time (another cliché), but it perfectly describes the career arc of one World Beater, who didn’t let consecutive ninth place finishes derail what’s become a very promising career.
The ascending 3-year-old colt, fresh off his first Grade 1 triumph – a half-length tally of August’s Saratoga Derby – headlines the field of nine for Saturday’s $500,000 Old Dominion Derby (G3T) at Colonial Downs.
Leading off as the 9-5 opening line choice, World beater has made significant strides in his sophomore season, compiling a 3-2-1 record with two stakes wins across six starts.
The 1 1/8-mile Old Dominion Derby will be the Riley Mott trainee’s first test at Colonial Downs.
Bring It On
When Venencia (FR) sets foot on the bet365 inner turf for Saturday’s $150,000 Singspiel (G3T) at Woodbine, she’ll be the only filly or mare in the field of six.
The seasoned mare will also be stretching out 1 3/8 miles for the first time, but oddsmakers remain bullish on the 5-year-old’s chances, listing her as the early 2-1 second choice.
While Venencia hasn’t crossed the wire first since last November’s Forever Together Stakes, she’s finished third in three graded contests, including the Grade 2 Canadian, also at Woodbine.
Sporting a 2-1-5 line from 12 starts, Venencia will team up with rider Sahin Civaci for the Singspiel.
Desert Heat
The path to the winner’s circle has passed through Desert Gate thus far, as the rookie colt is a perfect two-for-two to begin his career.
On Sunday at Del Mar, the 2-year-old colt will look to make it three-for-three in the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity (G1).
Riding high after his first graded stakes triumph – a whopping 8 ¾-length clearance in last month’s Best Pal (G3) – Desert Gate appears more than ready for a leap to the top level.
The Bob Baffert charge will team up with multiple graded stakes winning rider Juan Hernandez, who orchestrated both of Desert Gate’s standout wins.