Gaming gives Baffert 18th Futurity win

Photo:

Rich Steele / Eclipse Sportswire

Debut winner Gaming provided trainer Bob Baffert with his record 18th win in the Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Futurity going seven furlongs Saturday at Del Mar. The colt by Game Winner also supplied a fruitful return to California for top jockey Flavien Prat. 

Gaming, who aired gate-to-wire in his unveiling when going 6 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar Aug. 11, this time saved ground on the rail while tracking Grade 3-winning stablemate Getaway Car through fractions of 21.85 and 44.35 seconds for the opening half mile. As the leader tired entering the stretch, Gaming took over and comfortably held off McKinzie Street (6-1) to improve to 2-for-2 for owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman. 

Gaming, who won in a final time of 1:23.02, returned $9.80 as the 7-2 third choice in a seven-horse field. Mckinzie Street, a debut winner for trainer Tim Yakteen ridden by Kazushi Kimura, was followed by Citizen Bull (6-5) in third, also for Baffert. Getaway Car rounded out the superfecta.

This story will be updated.