Months before he had an official name, Brant was a record-breaker, selling for an astounding $3 million at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale of 2-year-olds in training in March.
The purchase price was the highest ever at an auction conducted by the well-established Florida sale company.
On Saturday at Del Mar, Brant has his debut for owner Amr Zedan and trainer Bob Baffert in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt.
In a full field of 10, Brant must beat stablemate Balboa, trained by Baffert for a large partnership that includes SF Racing, Starlight Racing, and Madaket Stable.
“I think Brant is probably a little further along than Balboa,” Baffert said on Friday. “Horses that come out of 2-year-old in-training sales are a little more advanced. I could see Balboa needing a race.”
Brant, whose name was registered last month, is by Gun Runner out of Tynan, by Liam’s Map. Tynan was a two-time winner in one-mile races at Horseshoe Indianapolis and Ellis Park. Brant is her first foal.
Tynan is out of Pappascat, the dam of the Gun Runner colt Pappacap, who won the Grade 2 Best Pal Stakes for 2-year-olds at Del Mar in 2021 and later that year was second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar.
Brant zoomed a furlong in 9.60 seconds before the three-day Ocala sale. In California, the colt was briefly based with Baffert’s stable at Los Alamitos before he was moved to Santa Anita in late April.
Brant, who will be ridden by Flavien Prat, has worked quickly in the last month, which is customary for Baffert-trained runners. Brant drew post 8.
“Things are going to have go right for him,” Baffert said. “He’ll have to break well.”
Balboa, a colt by Not This Time, was purchased for $875,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September yearling sale. Balboa, who will be ridden by Juan Hernandez, starts from post 5. He has worked from the gate four times in five workouts since mid-June.
Balboa is the first foal to race out of the War Front mare Tap of War, who won 2 of 7 starts. The wins came in sprints at Prairie Meadows and Oaklawn Park.
The field also includes the first-time starter Civil Liberty, a colt by Independence Hall who has worked quickly in the last month for trainer Doug O’Neill.
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