Del Mar Debutante 2012: Field Overview

As the scorching, summer heat gives way to a cool, autumn breeze, the 2012 two-year-old crop is only getting hotter. More and more potential superstars are heating up before the grandstands, stamping themselves as juveniles-to-watch with decisive scores in both maiden special weights and top-tier stakes events. The further we delve into the two-year-old stakes calendar, the more extensive my list of colts and fillies to watch. This weekend, a new chapter unfolds in the juvenile fillies' road trip to fame; on Saturday, the $300,000 Del Mar Debutante Stakes (Grade I) will be celebrating its 62nd running.

While notorious for its winners' tendency to retire early in their careers, the Del Mar Debutante's history dates back to champions such as Landaluce, Sharp Cat, and Chilukki, as well as many others who went on to shine in brief, but brilliant careers. This year's batch hosts several names who could very well carry on the race's star-studded tradition of producing the next queen of the Two-Year-Old Fillies division.

Here's your field for the 2012 edition of the Del Mar Debutante Stakes:

(1) Heir Kitty: Ratcheted up at morning-line odds of 6/1, Heir Kitty comes into the race off of a game second-place effort against the boys in the Best Pal Stakes. While no one can claim that the field for this year's Best Pal was a particularly fearsome crew, it was still a Grade II in which a filly nearly bested the boys. The winner, Know More, is currently rated fourth-best on my Top 10 Juvenile Colts list; therefore, having come second to him, I hold Heir Kitty in a place of high esteem. She clearly has a liking for the Del Mar surface, and if her debut (a 4 length walkover) is any indication of her talents, Heir Kitty is a major threat to conquer the Debutante.

(2) Pat's Back: Following a third-place finish in a 5 1/2 furlong maiden claiming race, Pat's Back hopped up into maiden special weight company and won by two lengths, leading the field through all points of the 6 furlong race that culminated in a zippy time of 1:09.79. If she can race back into this sort of form, Pat's Back is a very likely candidate for the Del Mar winner's circle -- even at odds of 20/1. 

(3) Miss Empire: Like her stablemate Heir Kitty - who reigns from a different barn, but the same trainer - Miss Empire is headed into the Debutante fresh from a frolic against the boys in the Grade II Best Pal; a race in which she finished third. Miss Empire is fairly experienced when compared to most two-year-old fillies, having already run on four occasions. Following a fourth-place debut, she won the Cinderella by four lengths, then came third in both the Landaluce and Best Pal. While she's not the most likely winner, Miss Empire is a solid contender who hasn't placed out of the money since her understandably poor debut. If she's going to make a splash against this year's top competition, the time for action is now. 

(4) Speedinthruthecity: Following a very swift initial triumph in a 5 furlong turf MSW, Speedinthruthecity finished second to fellow entrant Executiveprivilege in both the Landaluce and Sorrento Stakes. It's hard not to like this classy filly, who consistently gives her very best shot against a filly many consider the best juvenile female in the nation. She's been working very sharply at Del Mar, and could be a huge threat to at least the runner-up slot; so far, Speedinthruthecity shows no sign of dominance over Executiveprivilege. 

(5) Wasted At Midnight: In her only performance, Wasted At Midnight was squeezed out of the gate into a poor position, and wound up finishing fifth against maiden special weight fillies. While her situation was rendered hopeless straight from the gate, it seems that Wasted At Midnight could benefit from another MSW rather than making the jump into stakes company. The mystery horse in the lot; back her at your own risk.

(6) Mechaya: A two-length winner in her only race, and only fractions off of the 5 1/2 furlong Del Mar record. Mechaya appears to be a very talented filly, but she will be facing up against stiff competition. At odds of 6/1, you decide if she's worth the bet.

(7) Renee's Titan: After conquering a maiden claiming by a four length margin, Renee's Titan loped come a lackluster fourth in the Sorrento Stakes. I do not envision her winning this race.

(8) Executiveprivilege: The hefty favorite, and for good reason. Executiveprivilege has found the winner's circle in all three of her races: a 5 1/2 furlong MSW, the Landaluce Stakes, and the Sorrento Stakes. The fact that she's trained by Bob Baffert, "The Magician", only adds to her blatant appeal. If you're not hoping to make any money, Executiveprivilege is the obvious win-pick.

(9) Beholder: In her most recent outing, Beholder won a 5 1/2 furlong Del Mar MSW by a romping four lengths. It was an impressive victory, but nonetheless, the final time was nothing earth-shattering. In her only other start, Beholder debuted against Executiveprivilege, and came home fourth. As well, her works have shown nothing spectacular. I see no reason to back Beholder; if she is to win, she'll be needing to make a huge leap of improvement. 

My Trifecta

Heir Kitty

Executiveprivilege

Pat's Back