Bottle of Rouge Springs a Surprise at Del Mar, Gives Baffert 12th Del Mar Debutante

Jill Baffert’s Filly, With Mike Smith Aboard, Denies Favorites Explora and Himika in a Thrilling Finish

Bottle of Rouge Pulls Off the Upset in the Del Mar Debutante / BENOIT PHOTO

DEL MAR, California (Special for Turf Diario).- When Bob Baffert sends multiple runners to a stakes race, bettors often refer to the “other Baffert” if the less-favored entrant wins. On Saturday in the Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1), the scenario reached a new level: with three runners, victory went to the other, other Baffert.

The star was Bottle of Rouge (Vino Rosso–Blues Corner, by Bluegrass Cat), a Kentucky-bred filly raised by Kathie Maybee and owned by Natalie “Jill” Baffert, the trainer’s wife. With Mike Smith aboard, the gray filly produced a spectacular late run to edge out favorite Explora (Blame) by a length, while Himika (Curlin) faded to fourth after losing form in the stretch.

“Jill insisted that Bob get me on her,” Smith said with a laugh. “She didn’t stop until she got her way, and today everything went perfectly.”

Pre-race logic favored a showdown between unbeaten Explora, coming off a dominant debut, and Himika, winner of the Sorrento Stakes (G3). But Bottle of Rouge, who had broken her maiden by 6 3/4 lengths in her second start, proved her credentials. Forced wide around the turn in the three path, she advanced from fourth to dominate in the final furlongs, stopping the clock at 1:23.50 for 7 furlongs.

“I’m over the moon,” said a beaming Jill Baffert. “I knew she was up against very talented fillies, and I asked Mike to ride her like she was his own. Today he worked magic.”

For Bob Baffert, it marked his 12th Del Mar Debutante victory, including five wins in the last seven editions, reinforcing his dominance in two-year-old racing on the West Coast. For Smith, Hall of Famer since 2003, it was his fourth win in this race, but the first alongside the legendary trainer.

Pedigree-wise, the victory also serves as a boost for Vino Rosso, the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner and champion older horse, who stands at Spendthrift Farm this year for a $12,500 fee.

Purchased for just $100,000 at Keeneland September 2024, Bottle of Rouge has already shown she can compete at the elite level—and with the Baffert stamp, her story is only beginning.