Del Mar Closes With Futurity

Trainer Richard Mandella will try to win the $250,000 Del Mar Futurity for the second time in three years when he sends out One Union in the closing-day feature.

A 2-year-old son of Dixie Union owned by Herman Sarkowsky, One Union was an impressive winner in his debut Aug. 13. He battled for the lead throughout under jockey Victor Espinoza, surrendered the advantage briefly in the stretch, but came on again and was moving away at the wire. He won by 1 1/4 lengths as the 9-5 choice.

If One Union, who was purchased for $135,000 about a year ago, is to remain perfect, he’ll have to beat 10 opponents in the Grade II at seven furlongs.

The other two prime contenders in the Futurity are Stevie Wonderboy and Bashert.

Trained by Doug O’Neill for owner Merv Griffin, Stevie Wonderboy, a son of Stephen Got Even, broke his maiden by four lengths Aug. 6 and acts like the kind who will thrive with more distance. Garrett Gomez will ride while Rene Douglas has the call on Bashert, who has been second in the Hollywood Juvenile and Best Pal since breaking his maiden by five lengths June 5.

Race of the day: Bordonaro will seek his fifth consecutive win and third of the Del Mar meet when he takes on six opponents in the $80,000 Pirate’s Bounty Handicap at six furlongs. Gomez will be aboard the 4-year-old Memo gelding for owner-breeders Fred Carrillo and Dan Cassella and trainer Bill Spawr. Jungle Prince, Remo, Indian Country, Areyoutalkintome, Smoocher and Siphonizer, who won the Del Mar Futurity in 2003, round out the lineup.

One for the road: Red Mimi drops in class as she seeks the seventh win on turf of her career in today’s fifth at Bay Meadows. Macario Rodriguez will ride the 7-year-old for owner Jerry Jamgotchian and trainer Troy Bainum in the $6,250 claimer at one mile. In her last start July 29 at Santa Rosa, Red Mimi was second to Thrill After Dark and finished directly in front of next out winner Tea Dancing.

Exotically speaking: A pick four using Noble Masterpiece, Masterpiece, Drake’s Victory and Minister Blair in the seventh; Stevie Wonderboy, One Union and Bashert in the eighth; Wheaton Hall, Quanah Parker and Cat Of Fifty Seven in the ninth; and Runaway Lollipop in the 10th.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 1/104. Money: Previous day/meet total: $4.20/$616. Total money bet: $722.