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2023 Del Mar Futurity

Flavien Prat celebrates aboard Prince of Monaco after winning the 2023 Del Mar Futurity

Del Mar's summer meeting ended on Sunday with the traditional closing day feature, the $300,000 Runhappy Del Mar Futurity (G1) for 2-year-olds sprinting 7 furlongs on the main track. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club CEO Joe Harper said, "A terrific meet. I am proud of our team and thankful for the efforts of all the horsemen and women who helped us once again put on world-class racing and entertainment here. I also want to thank racing fans who joined us on-track and around the country who follow our races and our broadcast partners at FanDuel TV for all they do to contribute to another successful summer season here. Lastly, a special thanks to Dennis Moore, John Beggin and their teams for everything they do to ensure that our racing surfaces are safe, consistent and fair." Racing returns to Del Mar for the track's fall Bing Crosby meet running from November 10 to December 3.

Prince of Monaco leads down the stretch

Conditions were excellent at the seaside oval with cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid 70's for the 6,825 fans in attendance. After Valiant Knight scratched, Prince of Monaco was sent off as the 1-20 favorite in the field of 6, undefeated in 2 starts, his debut at Los Alamitos and then the Best Pal (G3) at Del Mar. In to challenge him included 10-1 second choice Raging Torrent, third in the Best Pal, and 15-1 third choice Mirahmadi, still winless but second in the Fasig Tipton Futurity in his debut.

Jockey Juan Hernandez sent Mirahmadi to the lead out of the chute through fractions of 22.18 and 44.75 while pressed by Prince of Monaco and stalked by Raging Torrent. Turning for home, jockey Flavien Prat sent Prince of Monaco to take over the lead through 3/4 in 1:09.33. Kept to task by Prat, Prince of Monaco held off Mirahmadi the rest of the way to win by 3/4 length in 1:22.65. It was a long 3 3/4 lengths back to late-running 28-1 Next Level third.

Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show 1 Prince of Monaco Prat 2.10 2.10 2.10 3 Mirahmadi Hernandez 5.80 8.40 6 Next Level Desormeaux 4.60 Winning Time: 1:20.99 $1 Exacta 1-3 8.20 $2 Quinella 1-3 7.80 $1 Trifecta 1-3-6 56.60 $1 Superfecta 1-3-6-4 116.00 Results Chart

Left: Prince of Monaco in the winner's circle. Jimmy Barnes, assistant to winning trainer Bob Baffert (who trains the first two finishers) said, "It was the right kind of trip we were looking for. We weren't sure about Mirahmadi, where he was going to be placed in the race, but he left there running. Prat just got comfortable on the inside and when he needed to get to the outside he did and he accelerated. He's pretty push button, pretty straight forward. I'm very proud of both of them." This is Baffert's record 17th Del Mar Futurity win.

Right: Prince of Monaco in the paddock. Winning jockey Flavien Prat said, "He broke well and I thought I was going to go to the lead. But other horses went for it, so we waited. On the turn, he made his move and we made the lead. His teammate (Mirahmadi) was trying hard and gave us a good race. But I think my horse was just waiting for something to come up to him. That didn't happen. Can he run on? We won't know until it happens, but he's done everything right so far."

Left: Second place finisher Mirahmadi in the paddock before the race. Jockey Juan Hernandez said, "I knew the other horse was right there, but my horse was running really good. I had no excuses. He's shown he has talent in the morning. Today, he showed the talent in the afternoon."

Right: Third place finisher Next Level in the paddock. The Keith Desormeaux trainee improved his record to 0 wins, 1 second, and 1 third in 3 starts, earning $54,400 for owner Don't Tell My Wife Stables.

Endlessly wins the Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes

38-1 longest shot Des Doigts was quickest away through an opening quarter of 22.71 before 27-1 Bear River and jockey Kent Desormeaux took over on the clubhouse turn through fractions of 46.61 and 1:11.44 while pressed by Des Doigts and stalked by favorite Boltage. Turning for home, Endlessly, 6th early, came out 3 wide for room to gain the lead midstretch through 7f in 1:23.33. Kept to task by Juan Hernandez, Endlessly drew off to win by 2 1/4 lengths over late-running 9-1 Lord Bullingdon in 1:35.28. It was another length back to favorite Boltage third.

Results Chart

Left: Endlessly in the winner's circle. Winning trainer Mike McCarthy said, "The horse had drawn a little bit outside today and I told Juan just go ahead and bounce out of there and hopefully not get yourself stuck too far out in the middle of the racetrack around the first turn. The horse was attentive to him and he put himself in a great spot. He looked like he was always traveling comfortably. It did look like Juan took it to him a little early. It just seemed like he couldn't wait any longer and he was able to finish off nicely."

Right: Endlessly returns after the race. Winning jockey Juan Hernandez said, "I had a good trip. Mike told me the horse had really been training well. When you hear that, you don't get nervous out there if you get in a little trouble. You know the horse is going to run strong. My horse did that today. I was tracking the favorite (Boltage) and when I got by him I knew I was in good shape."

Left: Second place finisher Lord Bullingdon in the paddock before the race. The Mike McCarthy trainee improved his record to 2 seconds in 2 starts, earning $29,000 for owners Colbart Stables and Michael McCarthy Racing Stable Inc.

Right: Third place finisher and beaten favorite Boltage in the post parade. The Richard Mandella trainee improved his record to 1 win, 0 seconds, and 1 third in 3 starts, earning $61,700 for owner Pin Oak Stud.

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