Midshipman gets up for Del Mar Futurity

Stonerside Stable's homebred MIDSHIPMAN (Unbridled's Song) closed furiously

in deep stretch to catch Coronet of a Baron (Pure Prize) on the wire in

Wednesday's $250,000

Del Mar Futurity (G1), remaining perfect in two career starts with the nose

decision. Trained by Bob Baffert, the chestnut colt rated just off the pace in

fifth behind early splits of :23 1/5 and :46 2/5 before coming with his wide

rally in the stretch, but he had to get past an ultra-game Coronet of a Baron,

who held a half-length lead when passing the three-quarters mark in 1:10 3/5.

Midshipman and jockey Tyler Baze would not be denied in the end, finishing the

seven-furlong, closing-day feature over Del Mar's Polytrack in 1:23 1/5.

Sheikh Mohammed's Darley acquired Midshipman and most of Stonerside's assets

earlier this week, and Darley also owned the runner-up. Midshipman, who broke

his maiden at first asking by 1 1/4 lengths at Del Mar on August 17, paid

$14.60, $8.60 and $5.60 as the 6-1 fifth choice in the 11-horse field. The

Kentucky-bred juvenile keyed the $50.20 exacta ($1) with the 6-1 Coronet of a

Baron, who gave back $8.40 and $5.60 for his commendable effort. It was three

parts of a length back to the late-running Street Boss (Street Cry [Ire]), who

was also off at 6-1 and totaled $5.20. The $1 trifecta paid $332.80, and the

3-4-7-2 superfecta ($1), with the front-running and 5-2 favorite Southern

Exchange (Exchange Rate) in fourth, was worth $1,263.10.

Believe in Hope (Thunder Gulch), Escalon (Spanish Steps), Wild Wild Posse

(Posse), Kerwin's Way (Skip Away), Kelly Leak (Runaway Groom) and Mensa Heat

(Unusual Heat) rounded out the order of finish.

Out of the multiple Grade 2-winning Fleet Lady (Avenue of Flags), Midshipman

counts 2003 Cotillion H. (G2) victress Fast Cookie (Deputy Minister) as a

half-sibling as well as a yearling colt by Ghostzapper and a weanling filly by

Distorted Humor. This is the female family of 2008 Sunshine Millions Turf S.

winner and last-out Bernard Baruch H. (G2) runner-up War Monger (War Chant).

He's now earned $180,000.