Natalie Baffert’s Kentucky-bred Bottle of Rouge rallied strongly in the lane to post a game victory in the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1).
Ridden by Mike Smith, Bottle of Rouge broke in and brushed with a rival after the start of the seven-furlong test. She stalked the early pace from fourth before taking aim on the leaders coming out of the far turn. She dueled with stablemate and race favorite Explora in the lane, surging clear late to post a one-length win over Explora. The winner covered the distance in 1:23.05.
“First time I’ve ever been on her,” said Mike Smith, “never even worked her. About 150 yards or so out of the gate she just seemed to lose her hind end for a bit. But she recovered nicely and picked it up. She ran well today.”
A gray daughter of Vino Rosso, Bottle of Rouge was bred in Kentucky by Kathie Maybee. Out of the Bluegrass Cat mare Blues Corner, Bottle of Rouge was a $100,000 graduate of the 2024 Keeneland September Sale.
Bottle of Rouge Springs Debutante Upset
“The way the race set up, they were moving right along up front, so it doesn’t surprise me that’s the way ended up finishing,” said Jimmy Barnes, assistant to trainer Bob Baffert. “They’re all lightly raced fillies That’s her third start so that helps. We’ll take a one-two finish anytime. We’re just very proud of her.”
With the win, Bottle of Rouge is now a winner in 2-of-3 lifetime starts. The $180,000 winner’s share of the purse increased her bankroll to $240,000. She broke her maiden in her previous outing, winning a 6 ½-furlong maiden special weight by 6 ¾ lengths at Del Mar in her second start. She finished second to highly regarded stablemate Himika in her June debut.