Field for Bob Hope up in the air

DEL MAR, Calif. – Great Lou is nominated to the Grade 3, $100,000 Bob Hope Stakes for 2-year-olds on Saturday, but trainer Leandro Mora said he was more likely to run Thursday in race 6, a starter allowance going six furlongs.

Great Lou cruised to a 4 1/2-length victory in his debut Oct. 24 at Santa Anita when facing maiden claimers.

“I don’t want to throw him to the lions,” Mora said.

The seven-furlong Bob Hope, formerly the Hollywood Prevue, was won last year by Shared Belief. Several of the nominees are being considered for the $1 million Delta Jackpot at Delta Downs on Nov. 22, including Wake Up Nick, who Mora said was likely to go there. Wake Up Nick, 5 for 6, suffered the first loss of his career when second in the Golden State Juvenile on Nov. 1 at Santa Anita.

The unbeaten Prime Engine, a two-time winner at Emerald Downs, including in the Gottstein Futurity, also is under consideration for the Delta Jackpot but could run in the Bob Hope instead.

Other Hope possibilities include Rockinatten, St. Joe Bay, and Story to Tell.

Light the City looks tough

The unbeaten Light the City, who won her debut at Del Mar and then captured the Anoakia Stakes at Santa Anita, looms a strong favorite in the $100,000 Desi Arnaz Stakes for 2-year-old fillies on Sunday.

The Arnaz, formerly the Moccasin Stakes, is run at seven furlongs. It is the female counterpart to the Bob Hope.

Jerry Hollendorfer, who trains Light the City, also could run Achiever’s Legacy. Others likely for the Arnaz include Into Oblivion and possibly Take Back Spring and Xoxo.