High Velocity wires field in Bob Hope Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – A colt named High Velocity better have speed, and he does, but he acts like he can carry it a route of ground, and that’s what he’ll get a chance to do next following his front-running victory on Saturday in the Grade 3, $98,000 Bob Hope Stakes for 2-year-olds at Del Mar.

High Velocity is now unbeaten in two starts. He won going 5 1/2 furlongs in his debut Oct. 13 at Santa Anita, then polished off seven furlongs on Saturday, proving best in what turned into a virtual match race with Strongconstitution.

He’s by Quality Road, he’s owned by Gary and Mary West, and he’s trained by Bob Baffert, a trifecta of interests that like being on a road trip to the Derby.

“When the other horse came to him, it’s, ‘All right, let’s see what you’ve got, boy.’ He took off again,” Baffert said.

High Velocity completed seven furlongs on the fast main track in 1:23.16. Baffert will take a little longer to figure out what’s next. The main thing, he said, is to have a horse next spring. “We don’t want to rush him,” Baffert said.

Only four went to the post for the Bob Hope after six were entered. Both Howbeit and Thousand Words, the latter also trained by Baffert, were scratched.

High Velocity, breaking inside of Strongconstitution, led narrowly through an opening quarter in 23.28 seconds and half in 46.60 seconds. Strongconstitution got on even terms with High Velocity in upper stretch, but after High Velocity switched leads passing the furlong pole he began to inch clear, winning by 1 1/4 lengths under Drayden Van Dyke.

Strongconstitution was 4 1/2 lengths clear of Zimba Warrior. Rager trailed.

High Velocity ($4) was the second choice behind 4-5 Strongconstitution.

The victory was the fourth in the last five years in the Bob Hope for Baffert, who has won the race six times in the last nine years, including prior iterations as the Hollywood Prevue at Hollywood Park. Last year’s winner was Mucho Gusto, who this year has won three graded stakes and was second in the Grade 1 Haskell.

The Wests purchased High Velocity as a yearling for $350,000.