Jockey Flavien Prat didn’t rush the 2-year-old Messier early in the $98,000 Bob Hope Stakes (G3) Nov. 14 at Del Mar, however that did not preserve the Empire Maker colt from cruising to a 3 1/2-length victory.
Messier was considered one of three Bob Baffert trainees entered within the seven-furlong primary monitor occasion, with solely the Richard Mandella-trained Forbidden Kingdom taking them on after Rock N Rye was scratched by the stewards. He was last 4 1/2 lengths off the pace of Forbidden Kingdom, who recovered after stumbling at the start out of post 4, through a first quarter-mile in :21.40 and third by the time a half went in :43.23. Winning Map broke inward from post 3, bumping with stablemate Kamui .
Messier wins the Bob Hope Stakes
Solely a half-length behind the pacesetter within the stretch after turning 4 broad, Messier drove clear from the sphere to finish the space on a quick monitor in 1:22.74. He paid $4.40 because the 6-5 favourite.
“Messier shipped down this morning (from Santa Anita Park),” mentioned Baffert, an 11-time Bob Hope winner. “He did not practice right here in the course of the summer season and had by no means been right here. First time on a trailer, first time he’d seen Del Mar, and he walked into the paddock like he owned it. The monitor is fairly glib so the fractions had been quick. In the summertime, :21 and 4 would not maintain up, however this time pace carries and so they had been rolling.”
The connctions of Messir within the winner’s circle following the Bob Hope Stakes
“We had been in a great place,” Prat mentioned. “There was loads of tempo within the race and that was to our benefit. Once I requested, he was there. And I feel this horse can be wonderful with working on.”
Forbidden Kingdom held for second, ending 1 3/4 lengths forward of Profitable Map. Kamui was one other 4 1/2 lengths again to finish the order of end.
Messier was a $470,000 buy by Donato Lanni, agent for SF/Starlight/Madaket, from Sam-Son Farm on the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Chosen Yearlings Showcase. Named for the previous NHL participant Mark Messier, he’s now a two-time winner from three begins and broke his maiden at second asking Oct. 22 at Santa Anita. His earnings stand at $105,600 for homeowners Golconda Secure, Madaket Stables, SF Racing, Siena Farm, Starlight Racing, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, Robert Masterson, and Jay Schoenfarber.
Sam-Son Farm bred Messier in Ontario out of the stakes-winning Good Strike mare Checkered Past . Messier is the first starter for his dam, who this year foaled a Candy Ride filly and was reported bred to Authentic for 2022.
Video: Bob Hope S. (G3)
