Beautiful Shot targets Bob Hope Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. – The unbeaten 2-year-old Beautiful Shot will be on a gradual career path this fall.

After Beautiful Shot won his stakes debut in Sunday’s $73,405 Speakeasy Stakes at six furlongs at Santa Anita, trainer Keith Desormeaux said the colt is a candidate for the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes, a $100,000 race at seven furlongs Nov. 11 at Del Mar.

The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at 1 1/16 miles on Nov. 4 at Del Mar is not part of the discussion.

“I’m not 100 percent about his distance capabilities,” Desormeaux said. “He looks like a sprinter, and he has sprinter [bloodlines]. You have to be reserved.”

Desormeaux said Beautiful Shot will be tried in a two-turn race at some point in the coming months.

“He’ll get his chance,” he said.

Owned by Calumet Farm, Beautiful Shot won his debut in a maiden race at 5 1/2 furlongs Aug. 27 at Del Mar, overcoming trouble at the start to close from ninth in a field of 10 for a nose victory. In the Speakeasy Stakes, Beautiful Shot ($10) closed from fifth in a field of six to catch 3-10 favorite Mourinho in the final sixteenth, winning by 1 1/4 lengths.

Keith’s brother Kent rode Beautiful Shot. Keith Desormeaux credited Kent for riding a patient race behind a speed duel.

Keith Desormeaux said he plans to have one starter in the Breeders’ Cup races – My Boy Jack in the Juvenile Turf on Nov. 3.