Mastery possible for Bob Hope Stakes next month

ARCADIA, Calif. - Mastery, the easy winner of a maiden race for 2-year-olds in his debut at Santa Anita on Saturday, will make his stakes debut at Del Mar next month.

Trainer Bob Baffert said Sunday that he is considering the $100,000 Bob Hope Stakes at seven furlongs Nov. 19 for Mastery.

Mastery ($2.60) led throughout a maiden race at six furlongs. He held an advantage of as much as 1 1/2 lengths through the opening half-mile before pulling away to win by 4 1/4 lengths over 7-2 Sheer Flattery.

“He’d impressed in the morning and he showed he could do it in the afternoon,” Baffert said. “That was the impressive part.

“We knew he had a lot of talent. He’s got a beautiful way of moving.”

By Candy Ride, Mastery was purchased for $425,000 at the 2015 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. The colt is owned by Everett Dobson’s Cheyenne Stables. Dobson is a part owner of the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA.