Baffert Duo Heads Field

It would be a complete shock if trainer Bob Baffert did not win today’s second race at Del Mar.

The question is whether he will win with Vindication, the 4-5 favorite, or 6-5 second choice Bull Market.

Both colts were impressive breaking their maidens in their career debuts earlier in the meet and appear headed for bigger and better things.

Owned by Padua Stable, Vindication, a son of the late, great Seattle Slew, was purchased for $2.15 million last year.

He showed much promise in his July 27 debut, winning at today’s distance (six furlongs) after breaking from the rail. At the wire, he had 5 1/2 lengths on the rest of the field and was never asked for his best by jockey Mike Smith.

Three days earlier, Bull Market, a son of Holy Bull owned by James McIngvale, dominated his five rivals going five furlongs, winning by a little more than three lengths. The knock against him is that the field he beat wasn’t particularly strong. Macho Image, another Baffert horse, has since been beaten in a claimer, and Dirty Tricks, who was fourth, lost in his next appearance for trainer Bob Hess Jr.

Those fighting for the minor awards in the $56,000 optional claimer are Hair Jordan, making his first start for sharp trainer Jeff Mullins after racing in Idaho, Luzern, Jimmy O and Pine For Java.

Race of the day: J.T.’s Song will try for his second win of the meet in Del Mar’s third against Dixie Thrill, a re-claim by trainer Doug O’Neill, and four others.

Who’s hot: Francisco Duran. The apprentice jockey edged Russell Baze, 16-15, to win the jockey title at the recently concluded Bay Meadows Fair meet.

Who’s not: Macario Rodriguez and Barrington Harvey. At the same Bay Meadows Fair meet, the two riders combined to go 0 for 44.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using J.T.’s Song and Dixie Thrill in the third, singling Vigor in the fourth and using Soup’n Crackers, Chalifoux, Luxury Jewels, Shescominundone and Entrancing in the fifth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/52. Money: Previous day/meet total: $6.40/$318.20. Total money bet: $426.