How to bet the 2023 Del Mar Futurity

A total of seven juveniles will go postward in the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity (G1) on Sunday. Bob Baffert’s #1 Prince of Monaco, the ever-impressive winner of the Best Pal S. (G3) last time out, is the clear one to beat in the seven-furlong dirt dash. And if he comes out on top as expected, the colt will give his trainer an unfathomable 17th win in the closing-day feature.

Del Mar Futurity Wagers

• $10 trifecta: 1 with 5 with all ($50)
• $2 trifecta: 1 with all with 5 ($10)

Prince of Monaco was bet to 1-20 favoritism at Los Alamitos in his debut on July 9 and strolled home an eight-length winner under minor urging. The $950,000 son of Speightstown made his local bow on Aug. 13 and didn't disappoint, as he cruised to the front nearing midstretch and drew off to a commanding, 4 1/4-length tally, while earning a whopping 102 Brisnet Speed figure in the process.

Bred in the Bluegrass State, the March foal posted a pair of good morning drills in the interim to get ready for his toughest test to date, and the dark bay will be very popular at the windows once again with Flavien Prat in the silks.

Tim Yakteen’s #5 Rothschild appears to have the best chance for an upset in the cast. The $700,000 son of Uncle Mo didn’t look special in his debut on the oval when an even fifth while running five furlongs, but he displayed vast improvement second time out when graduating in style at 6 1/2 furlongs on the strip. The February foal did have a dream voyage in his victory when comfortably leading at every call, but he came home with excellent energy and will have no problem negotiating the move to seven-eighths on Sunday. Ramon Vazquez will ride the bay colt once again and send him from the opening bell.

I don’t have particular interest in any of the other handful of runners in the field who appear to be overmatched, so I will use the "all" button for my vertical wagers.