Why Messier May Glide to Victory in Bob Hope Stakes

Corridor of Fame coach Bob Baffert has three of the 5 starters for the $100,000 Bob Hope Stakes Sunday at Del Mar, a race he has gained 10 instances beforehand and has an excellent probability to win once more in 2021.

Beforehand known as the Hollywood Prevue, the Grade 3 race was renamed in honor of the legendary comic and horse racing aficionado after Hollywood Park closed and the race was moved to its new seaside dwelling at Del Mar in 2014.

Baffert’s trio for 2021 occupy the three inside put up positions: #1 Messier, #2 Kamui, and #3 Winning Map. Messier is known as after professional hockey Corridor of Famer Mark Messier and along with his horses breaking from three consecutive posts, it’s nearly as if Baffert is sending out a hockey line.

The opposite entrants are #4 Rock N Rye, a 4 ½-length winner of the Commencement Stakes at Del Mar in August stepping out of state-bred competitors for the primary time; and #5 Forbidden Kingdom, an American Pharoah colt skilled by Corridor of Famer Richard Mandella who gained his debut on the primary observe at Del Mar in August earlier than ending a troubled third in a stakes race on the grass in October.

Returning to the primary observe for Mandella, who has loved success when teaming with jockey Juan J. Hernandez, Forbidden Kingdom seems like a significant participant to me. He has a win on this racetrack and has been coaching nicely.

The seven-eighths of a mile could be a bit difficult for 2-year-olds stretching out in distance for the primary time, as is the case on this race. Whereas it nonetheless is a one-turn race, the additional eighth of a mile or three-sixteenths of a mile can someday catch in control horses.

Successful Map was dazzling in his debut for Baffert when he led each step of the best way going three-quarters of a mile Oct. 3 at Santa Anita Park after setting a robust tempo. The 98 Equibase Velocity Determine he earned for that win is three factors increased than the most effective every other runner has recorded, so the Liam’s Map colt profiles because the logical favourite.

I opted for a special Baffert runner for the win in Messier, who gained from simply off the tempo Oct. 22 at Santa Anita on the identical three-quarter-mile distance. An Empire Maker colt from a really good household cultivated by distinguished Canadian breeder Sam-Son Farms, Messier ought to relish the additional distance and he has the flexibility to price off the tempo in addition to the pure velocity to press the motion if the scenario requires it.

I actually preferred his final race – particularly the push-button acceleration he confirmed – and the way he got here out of that 6 ½-length win, which earned a 95 Equibase Velocity Determine. He was again with a timed exercise 10 days later after which adopted with a really good exercise Nov. 8. 

Moreover, Baffert and jockey Flavien Prat type a potent tandem, clicking at a 41% win price from 54 starters in 2021 in accordance with Equineline information. Baffert and Successful Map’s rider, Corridor of Famer Mike Smith, even have loved terrific success collectively, however it’s value noting Baffert and Prat win at an analogous proportion. Messier can even race with out blinkers within the Bob Hope, an angle Baffert has had success with over the previous 12 months (over 30 % winners).

It’s robust to foretell the chances in a five-horse subject that figures to supply little or no in the best way of worth, so I’ll simply attempt to hammer an exacta utilizing Messier over Forbidden Kingdom.

Exacta Technique on a $20 Price range

$20 exacta: 1 with 5 ($20)

What to say on the betting window: Del Mar, Race 8, $20 exacta 1 with 5