Nysos romps in Bob Hope Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – The fastest 2-year-old in California did not act like Sunday was anything other than an ordinary afternoon at Del Mar until he reached the starting gate for the Grade 3 Bob Hope Stakes. Then everything changed.

Nysos demolished the seven-furlong stakes under Flavien Prat, winning by 8 3/4 lengths in 1:21.71 and stamping himself one of the top winter prospects for trainer Bob Baffert. His effort earned a 97 Beyer Speed Figure.

In the paddock before the race, it was hard to imagine that Nysos was a 2-year-old who won his debut by more than 10 lengths in front-running fashion with a sky-high 96 Beyer. He walked through the paddock on Sunday, head hung low, no big deal, as in what’s all the fuss?

“He’s a really quiet colt,” Baffert said. “Prat said once he got behind the gate, he just turned it on.”

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Removing blinkers that he wore in his front-running debut romp, Nysos ($2.40) settled comfortably in last in the four-runner Bob Hope, cruised three-wide to challenge for the lead on the turn, and drew away. Stronghold finished second, Tejon Pass third, and Mission Beach fourth. Wine Me Up scratched.

Baffert, who won the Bob Hope for the 13th time (six as the Hollywood Prevue at Hollywood Park, seven at Del Mar), removed blinkers in an effort to teach the colt something.

“Last time he was out there (on the lead), I didn’t want to see that again,” Baffert said. “If we were going to teach him something, this is the time, in a race like this. And he drew perfectly to do that.”

From the outside post, Nysos settled while his three rivals dueled. Nysos was always running easily, then it was over. After the race, Baffert asked Prat the obvious question: “Two turns?” He said Prat responded: “No problem.”

Owned by Baoma Corp., Nysos is a Nyquist colt purchased at a 2-year-old sale for $550,000.

“He showed today that he’s special,” Baffert said.

*** The first pick six carryover since Del Mar and Santa Anita restored the traditional 70-30 payoff structure is up for grabs when racing resumes Thursday at Del Mar. No one hit the $1 pick six on Sunday; the carryover into Thursday is $94,601.

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