All eyes will be on the highly-regarded Bob Baffert trainee, Roadster, on Monday in the Grade 1 $300,000 Del Mar Futurity. A field of seven is slated to take flight in the seven-furlong dash, and many expect Roadster to overwhelm his competition. Visions of future glory came to mind immediately for those who witnessed the iron colt storm to victory on July 29, when the Quality Road colt broke his maiden impressively in a six-furlong event at Del Mar. After a powerful rally to the front, Roadster romped over the wire by 4 1/4 lengths, completing the race in a sharp final time of 1:11.07. The colt appears more than ready to make his graded stakes debut on Labor Day. However, Roadster won't be the only horse in the race that has a chance to become something special.
Overshadowed by the hype surrounding Roadster is a promising, young bay named, Rowayton. Jerry Hollendorfer unleashed his intrepid trainee on July 21, in a five-furlong maiden special weight at Del Mar. The nimble 4-5 favorite showed sharp early speed leaving the gate and boldly dueled alongside the pacesetter for the majority of the race. As the horses swept around the turn Rowayton took command and never looked back, kicking home to win by 1 1/2 lengths. The race was completed in an impressive final time of :58.61, complimenting the colt with a performance that was as visually impressive as it was fast.
Since his maiden win, Rowayton has been turning in solid workouts for his connections. His final tune-up before the Del Mar Futurity took place on August 25, when he drilled through five-furlongs in a swift final time of 1:00.60. Of the fifty horses that worked five-furlongs at Del Mar that day, Rowayton's workout was the fifth fastest overall.
The obvious hints of talent and potential that Rowayton has been flashing isn't the only thing that this young colt has going for him. The imposing bay has a pedigree to match the class that he flaunts, making him even more appealing than he already looks. By Into Mischief and out of the Indian Charlie mare, Rosemonde, Rowayton comes from a family line that screams talent and ability. His sire is already well-established, having produced countless winners on multiple racing surfaces, such as Goldencents, Vyjack, Audible, Practical Joke, and Vicar's in Trouble, just to name a few. And the lure doesn't end there. Rowayton's dam, Rosemonde comes from a strong line of producers herself. While Rowayton may be her first foal, her own dam, Kid Majic, found great success in the breeding shed. The mare produced three winners from four offspring to race, including Canadian Champion, Miss Mischief, who just like Rowayton, is by Into Mischief. The superb match between Into Mischief and this female line is proven through Miss Mischief, as she won 9 races during her career, including multiple scores and placings in stakes events. This regal family history bodes well for the young, Rowayton as he sets off to make a name for himself in what we call the "Sport of Kings".
As dominant as Roadster appears, it would be wise not to overlook Rowayton. He has the speed, skill, and breeding to become something special, and I expect a big performance from him in the Del Mar Futurity. This is a colt that we will likely be hearing from down the road, regardless of his placing on Monday. Just like Roadster, Rowayton has a bright and exciting future ahead of him.
In dramatic fashion, Rowayton and Roadster will be breaking from the starting gate right beside each other on race day. Roadster, the 6/5 morning line favorite will break from post three, with Rowayton, the 3-1 second choice, breaking from post two. If all goes well for the talented duo, they might just end the race side-by-side as well, ending the closing-day feature for the meet in thrilling style.
Post time for the Del Mar Futurity will take place at 6:05 PT
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