Del Mar Futurity

The Merv Griffin Ranch Co.'s STEVIE WONDERBOY (Stephen Got Even) settled near

the back of the pack through early fractions of :21 4/5 and :44 1/5 in

Wednesday's $250,000 Del Mar Futurity (G2) and began to quickly advance on the

far turn, entering the stretch five wide and inhaling his rivals to gain the

lead in midstretch. Under the guidance of Garrett Gomez, the Doug

O'Neill-trained two-year-old easily opened up a clear advantage and cruised to

the finish five lengths the best. The chestnut colt earned his first stakes win

and covered seven furlongs over the fast Del Mar track in 1:22 2/5.

Favored at 5-2 in the field of 11, Stevie Wonderboy returned $7, $4.20 and

$3.60. The Pharaoh (Forest Camp), who was off at 11-1, held off the fast-closing

Jealous Profit (Trippi) for second by a half-length and paid $9.20 and $10.

Jealous Profit, who missed the start at 9-1 odds, gave back $6.60. The $1

exotics totaled $43.20 (exacta), $256.40 (trifecta) and $1,465.50 for the 10-1-4-8 superfecta that

included One Union (Dixie Union) in fourth. Next across the wire came Old

Thunder (Fusaichi Pegasus), A.P. Warrior (A.P. Indy), Bashert (Tiger Ridge),

Plug Me In (Hold for Gold), John Hennessy (Mazel Trick), Dinner Magic (Formal

Dinner) and El Senor Halo (Halo's Image).

Bred in Kentucky by John Gunther, Tony Holmes and Walter Zent, Stevie

Wonderboy was purchased earlier this year in Florida for $100,000 at the Fasig-Tipton

February Sale. The chestnut colt is out of the Summer Squall mare Heat

Lightning, who is also the dam of a yearling filly by Mr. Greeley. Stevie

Wonderboy finished second to the late What a Song in his career bow and third to

the same rival in the Hollywood Juvenile Championship (G3) next time out. He

entered Wednesday's closing-day feature off a four-length maiden score at Del

Mar and has now earned $202,140 from his 4-2-1-1 line.