Brant Flashes Talent in Second Start at Del Mar Futurity, Derby Dreams on the Horizon for Zedan and Baffert
Brant announced himself as one of the most exciting juveniles in the country with a sharp victory in Sunday’s Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity. The two-year-old colt, trained by Bob Baffert, entered the race as something of a question mark after a promising but still-learning maiden performance. On Futurity day, Brant left little doubt about his ability. Breaking cleanly and going straight to the lead, he unleashed a decisive move at the top of the stretch to power clear from a deep field stacked with well-bred stablemates and a couple of other highly regarded youngsters.
Carrying the red, white, and blue silks of Zedan Racing Stables, Brant crossed the wire with authority, showcasing both speed and maturity that belied his limited experience. The victory not only gave his connections a coveted Grade 1 win at Del Mar but also stamped him as a colt to watch on the road toward the Triple Crown trail in 2026.
Brant’s background only adds intrigue to his budding story. A son of Gun Runner out of the Liam’s Map mare Tynan, he was bred for both stamina and brilliance. He was purchased at the 2024 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $200,000 and later sold as a two-year-old in training at Ocala for an astonishing $3,000,000 to Amr Zedan and Zedan Racing Stables. Established in 2016, Zedan Racing has continued to blaze its path with bold purchases and major stakes victories.
Del Mar’s Futurity has historically served as a launching pad for future stars, with American Pharoah, Nyquist, and others using the seaside track as their stage before national stardom. Whether Brant follows that path remains to be seen, but after Sunday, he has certainly earned his place in the conversation.