Edited release from Del MarA pair of lightly raced undefeated juvenile stakes winners–Roman Ruler and Chandtrue–rate marquee billing in the Sept. 8 Del Mar Futurity (gr. II), the traditional getaway-day feature of the 43-day race summer meet.Best Pal Stakes (gr. II) winner Roman Ruler, owned by the Fog City Stable of William Bianco and David Shimmon, is trainer Bob Baffert's chance to get back on the winning track in the $250,000 event he dominated for seven straight years. Last year, Baffert failed in his attempt at eight straight when Richard Mandella sent Siphonizer to the winner's circle.Roman Ruler, by Fusaichi Pegasus, is two-for-two in his career.Bob Hess Jr. will try to spoil it for Baffert when he saddles Chandtrue (by Yes It's True), winner of three stakes at Hollywood Park. He is making his Del Mar debut in the seven-furlong Futurity. Chandtrue, owned by Harold F. Greene, posted all of his four career wins at Hollywood Park, including the Willard Proctor Memorial Stakes, the Haggin and the Hollywood Juvenile Championship (gr. III).Corey Nakatani has the call on Roman Ruler and Gary Stevens will ride Chandtrue. They will carry high weight of 120 pounds.Set to tackle this pair are three colts who have broken their maidens at Del Mar and two maidens. Scoring a win at first asking was Declan's Moon, owned by the Jay Em Ess Stable of Mace and Samantha Siegel and trained by Ron Ellis. Winning his first race on his fourth try was Swiss Lad, owned by Ronald C. Waranch and trained by Jeff Mullins, Gentleman Count, owned by Brian M. Carney and trained by Nick Hines, was a winner in his third try against maidens.Declan's Moon, a Maryland-bred son of Malibu Moon, blitzed a maiden field by five lengths July 31 under David Flores. Victor Espinoza will ride.
Swiss Lad was close in two races at Calder prior to finishing third in his first outing at Del Mar in the July 28 Graduation Stakes. He won his next outing Aug. 21 by a solid four lengths. Tyler Baze retains the ride.Gentleman Count finished behind Chandtrue in the Proctor and Haggin before winning at Del Mar Aug. 28. Kerwin John will ride.Rounding out the field are non-winners Notarized and Allright. Notarized, owned by Wind River Stables, Julie Berta and Brian Koriner and trained by Koriner, finished second to Swiss Lad Aug. 21, and will have Luis Juaregui in the irons. Allright, owned by James McIngvale and trained by Baffert, was seventh in the Swiss Lad race in his only start. David Flores will ride.$250,000 Del Mar Futurity (gr. II), 2-year-olds, 7 furlongs PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey 1. Notarized (FL), 114, Luis H. Jauregui 2. Allright (KY), 114, David R. Flores 3. Declan's Moon (MD), 116, Victor Espinoza 4. Roman Ruler (KY), 120, Corey S. Nakatani 5. Swiss Lad (CA), 116, Tyler Baze 6. Chandtrue (FL), 120, Gary L. Stevens 7. Gentleman Count (KY), 116, Kerwin John
