In the Del Mar Futurity 2025 showdown there was a quiet confidence in trainer Bob Baffert’s voice on the Del Mar backside this week, the kind you hear when a man knows his stable is locked and loaded. He leaned on the rail, watched his star colt Brant glide effortlessly through his morning gallop, and smiled.
“He’s doing everything we’ve asked of him,” Baffert said softly, almost to himself. “Now, he just needs to go out there and show it.”
On Sunday, September 14, Brant will step onto racing’s big stage for the 78th renewal of the G1 Del Mar Futurity 2025 — the closing-day feature of the summer meet — aiming to stamp himself as one of America’s top juveniles.
Baffert’s Powerhouse Team Poised for a Big Day
Brant, a $3 million Gun Runner colt purchased by Amr Zedan at the Ocala Breeders Sale, already made headlines with a dazzling 5¼-length maiden victory in July. Now, stretching from 5½ furlongs to seven, he’ll face his toughest test yet.
But he won’t be alone. Of the six runners entered, four come from Baffert’s barn, a testament to his enduring dominance in the Del Mar Futurity — a race he’s won 18 times, including the last four consecutive years.
Among his brigade, Desert Gate, an unbeaten son of Omaha Beach, may be the biggest threat to Brant. After an impressive maiden score at Santa Anita, Desert Gate stormed home to capture the G3 Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar by an emphatic 8¾ lengths.
“This horse has been very professional since day one,” Baffert said. “His maiden race was exceptional. He’s a beautiful horse.”
Completing the Baffert arsenal are Balboa, a 7¾-length maiden winner, and Litmus Test, who opened his career with a polished Del Mar victory last month.
O’Neill’s Duo Ready to Spoil the Party
Trainer Doug O’Neill knows the size of the mountain he’s climbing but isn’t backing down. He’ll send out two contenders — Civil Liberty and Brigante — both aiming to upset the Baffert juggernaut.
Civil Liberty, who finished second to Brant on debut, has shown steady improvement in his works. “He’s maturing every week,” O’Neill said. “Antonio [Fresu] knows him well. We’re hoping he can get a little closer to Brant and the other Bafferts this time.”
Brigante, meanwhile, brings experience, finishing second in his debut and third in the G3 Best Pal Stakes. Jockey Hector Berrios stays aboard, and O’Neill believes the colt has the talent to make his presence felt.
Field & Odds — G1 Del Mar Futurity 2025
| Horse | Jockey | Morning Line Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Brigante | — | 15-1 |
| Brant | Flavien Prat | 1-1 |
| Balboa | Kazushi Kimura | 6-1 |
| Civil Liberty | Antonio Fresu | 9/2 |
| Desert Gate | Juan Hernandez | 4-1 |
| Litmus Test | Tyler Gaffalione | 6-1 |
Race 4 — Probable Post Time: 3:00 PM (PT)
East vs. West: Juveniles Take Flight in Del Mar Juvenile Turf
The spotlight won’t stop at the Futurity. Sunday’s card also features the G3 Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes, where promising 2-year-olds from across the country — and even across the Atlantic — collide in a wide-open battle.
The morning-line favorite Hey Nay Nay, trained by John Sadler, has already proven his versatility, winning on debut at Santa Anita before shipping east to dominate the Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park by seven lengths.
Sadler admits shipping youngsters is tricky but believes in his colt’s temperament:
“He’s very calm and handled it like a pro. That’s why we took the chance — and it paid off.”
Joining the field is Caro Buono, a French-bred colt who recently settled into Leonard Powell’s Del Mar stable. After initial struggles adjusting to the dirt surface, Powell believes his trainee has sharpened enough to make a bold showing on the grass.
Ireland’s Later Than Planned, trained by Phil D’Amato, brings an unbeaten U.S. debut record, while Dirty Rich, a sharp Kentucky shipper, steps up for trainer Peter Miller after an eye-catching maiden victory.
Field & Odds — G3 Del Mar Juvenile Turf
| Horse | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Born to Rock | Kazushi Kimura | 20-1 |
| Dirty Rich | Ruben Silvera | 5-1 |
| Proletariat | Kyle Frey | 8-1 |
| Plutarch | Juan Hernandez | 8-1 |
| Hey Nay Nay | Hector Berrios | 4-1 |
| Classico | Armando Ayuso | 30-1 |
| Later Than Planned | Umberto Rispoli | 8-1 |
| Conducted | Mike Smith | 12-1 |
| Punto Forty | Antonio Fresu | 12-1 |
| Oracle of Paradise | Diego Herrera | 20-1 |
| Jalisco | Abel Lezcano | 30-1 |
| Won For Lou | Tyler Gaffalione | 15-1 |
| Caro Buono | Flavien Prat | 6-1 |
| Love the Pressure | Assael Espinoza | 12-1 |
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