The Del Mar Futurity is a
Grade 1 American flat horse race held annually at Del Mar Racetrack in
Del Mar, California. It is open to two-year-old thoroughbred colts,
geldings and fillies and usually attracts some stiff competition.
The Del Mar Futurity was first run in 1948 and today offers a purse of
$250,000. It is run on a left-handed polytrack synthetic dirt surface
over seven furlongs, and over the years has seen some impressive records
created by top-rated owners, trainers and jockeys.
These include well-known American racehorse trainer Bob Baffert who
secured seven consecutive wins at the Del Mar Futurity in 1996, 1997,
1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. Leading thoroughbred racehorse breeding
farm Golden Eagle Farm, has recorded wins in 1990, 1992, 1993, 1997 and
1998.
In terms of well-known jockeys who have won the Del Mar Futurity, one of
the most famous in American horseracing history must undoubtedly be the
late and great Bill 'Willie' Shoemaker, who won the Del Mar Futurity an
impressive six times in 1954, 1958, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974.
(Shoemaker was born in Fabens, Texas in 1931 and during his long and
illustrious career chalked up an astonishing 8,833 victories. He passed
away in 2003 at the age of 72).
To date the fastest time in the Del Mar Futura was set in 2004 by
Declan's Moon who completed the seven furlong course in an extremely
fast time of 1:21.29. |
