3rd-Del Mar, $81,000, Msw, 8-16, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:03.64, ft, 3/4 length.
LITMUS TEST (c, 2, Nyquist–Study Hard, by Malibu Moon) took plenty of pari-mutuel support as the 11-10 favorite while making his career debut over 5 1/2 furlongs at Del Mar on Saturday, and ran to the money, earning a hard-fought victory over his once-raced stable companion Falcon Jet (Justify). Off fairly from gate two, the $875,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase was beaten for speed, as Sendit Mo (Yaupon) sped to the front from an outside draw. Driven along to pick up the leader as they neared the entrance to the stretch, the bay worked his way to the front with about an eighth of a mile to travel and stuck on gamely for the victory. The rail-drawn Falcon Jet, runner-up to 'TDN Rising Star' Buetane (Tiz the Law) and back on 13 days' rest, remained committed to the inside behind the leaders into and around the turn, came out for the drive to loom a threat and was outfinished in another solid effort. Machmer Hall acquired Study Hard, a full-sister to MGSW & GISP Sweet August Moon, for $100,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September sale and Litmus Test makes it three winners from four to face the starter to date. The mare produced fillies by Twirling Candy in 2024 and 2025 and was covered by McKinzie this season. Sales history: $875,000 Ylg '24 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $48,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital LLC & Catherine Donovan; B-Machmer Hall (KY); T-Bob Baffert.
🧪 #2 LITMUS TEST ($4.20) breaks his maiden on debut under @JJHernandezS19. The juvenile colt by @DarleyAmerica's Nyquist is trained by Bob Baffert. @MachmerHall @MadaketStables @StarlightRacing @StonestreetFarm pic.twitter.com/KxpAJkJDI3
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 16, 2025
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