Bast breaks maiden in Del Mar Debutante (G1)

Bob Baffert got his eighth victory in the Del Mar Debutante (G1) on Saturday when Bast rolled by nearly nine lengths in the seven-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies.

An unfortunate second to classy Inspiressa in her Aug. 11 debut, Bast turned the tables on her foe on Saturday with a rousing score. Fourth down the backside, Drayden Van Dyke moved to the outside and went around horses on the turn, hooking Inspiressa in upper stretch and easily drawing away to win officially by 8 3/4-lengths.

“She needed the blinkers the first time, but I wanted to get a race in her before the Debutante,” Baffert said. “She came back after that race and worked so well I knew she was ready to go. The blinker is really minimal. We’ll definitely look at the Breeders’ Cup (G1, Juvenile Fillies) and races like that down the road.” 

Bast, owned by the Baoma Corporation, picked up $180,000 in victory.