Favored Swear Romps to Del Mar Victory

Heavily favored Swear, ridden by Eddie Delahoussaye, drew off to an easy 6 1/2-length victory Wednesday in the $55,250 Balboa Stakes for 2-year-olds at Del Mar.

Bright Tom, ridden by Rafael Meza, finished second, while Smokey Orbit, with Bill Shoemaker aboard, was third, another half-length back.

Clocked in a swift 1:36 3/5 for a mile, Swear defeated eight rivals in the Grade III event and earned a $32,750 winner’s purse. Owned by Claiborne Farm and trained by Willard Proctor, Swear has won all three of his career starts, earning $59,200.

Sent off the 1-2 choice, Swear paid $3, $2.60 and $2.20; Bright Tom returned $3.80 and $3, and Smokey Orbit paid $4 to show.