Del Mar Futurity 2023 Analysis & Video

By Jarrod Horak

The Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity will be run at Del Mar on Sunday, Sept. 10. Seven juveniles will line up to face the starter and Prince of Monaco is the overwhelming 2-5 morning line favorite. I will go through the projected race flow and look at the best Digest final time ratings, and my video analysis is included at the bottom of this post.   

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Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity – Sept. 10 – Race 10 – 7 furlongs dirt

1 – Prince of Monaco (2-5) – Flavien Prat

2 – Valiant Knight (50-1) – Erick Garcia

3 – Mirahmadi (8-1) – Juan Hernandez

4 – Raging Torrent (5-1) – Antonio Fresu

5 – Rothschild (5-1) – Ramon Vazquez

6 – Next Level (12-1) – Kent Desormeaux

7 – Mary’s Boy Bolt (15-1) – Ricardo Gonzalez

Today’s Racing Digest Pace Ratings – Most Representative Line

Raging Torent – 132 (G3 Best Pal – 6f – Aug. 13)

Mirahmadi – 128 (MSW – 5f – July 23)

Rothschild – 128 (MSW – 5f – July 23)

Prince of Monaco – 126 (G3 Best Pal – 6f – Aug. 13)

Next Level – 120 (MSW – 6f – Aug. 5)

Mary’s Boy Bolt – 107 (MSW – 8f – Aug. 26)

Valiant Knight (No Pace Rating)

It sure seems like Bob Baffert maiden Mirahmadi, a $1 million disappointment after three starts, is in here to give pace assistance to his stablemate Prince of Monaco. They share common ownership. Raging Torrent and Rothschild should be forwardly placed but none of these are lightning quick off the blocks. The latter set a controlled tempo at 6 1/2 furlongs last time and probably won’t have to go much faster in the early stages to make the lead again. Prince of Monaco will probably stalk the pace and watch the pace unfold in front of him. Next Level set the pace last time but will likely stalk while out in the clear in this spot. 

Today’s Racing Digest Final Ratings – Most Representative Line

Prince of Monaco – 141 (G3 Best Pal – 6f – Aug. 13)

Rothschild – 128 (MSW – 6.5f – Aug. 25)

Raging Torent – 117 (MSW – 5f – July 23)

Next Level – 116 (MSW – 6f – Aug. 5)

Mirahmadi – 108 (MSW – 5f – July 23)

Valiant Knight – 107 (Stakes – 5f – July 23)

Mary’s Boy Bolt – 98 (MSW – 8f – Aug. 26)

Prince of Monaco stands out. His 141 in the Best Pal (G3) was fast and visually pleasing. The only possible knock is the inside post. He drew outside in both previous starts and he won those races easily. It does not look like the others pose a legitimate threat in this spot, and the favorite should get the job done under Flavien Prat. Two other runners appear to be improving and I will use them underneath. Rothschild elevated his final rating by 26 points in his local front running maiden win on Aug. 25. The $700k Uncle Mo colt should make his presence felt from the outset. Next Level has upside for patient trainer Keith Desormeaux. His speed rating jumped up 30 points second time out on Aug. 5. He can get a piece of the purse. 

Jarrod’s Del Mar Futurity Picks (first to last)

1st – Prince of Monaco

2nd – Rothschild

3rd – Next Level

4th – Raging Torrent

5th – Mary’s Boy Bolt

6th – Mirahmadi

7th – Valiant Knight

Jarrod’s Del Mar Futurity Wagers

Exacta 1-5

Trifecta Key 1/5-6