Messier Makes Easy Work of Short Bob Hope Field
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Messier wins the Bob Hope Stakes at Del Mar
Jockey Flavien Prat did not rush the 2-year-old Messier early in the $98,000 Bob Hope Stakes (G3) Nov. 14 at Del Mar, but that didn't keep the Empire Maker colt from cruising to a 3 1/2-length victory.
Messier was one of three Bob Baffert trainees entered in the seven-furlong main track event, with only 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
Only a half-length behind the pacesetter in the stretch after turning four wide, Messier drove clear from the field to complete the distance on a fast track in 1:22.74. He paid $4.40 as the 6-5 favorite.
"Messier shipped down this morning (from Santa Anita Park)," said Baffert, an 11-time Bob Hope winner. "He didn't train here during the summer and had never been here. First time on a trailer, first time he'd seen Del Mar, and he walked into the paddock like he owned it. The track is pretty glib so the fractions were fast. In the summer, :21 and four wouldn't hold up, but this time speed carries and they were rolling."
The connections of Messier in the winner's circle following the Bob Hope Stakes
"We were in a good spot," Prat said. "There was plenty of pace in the race and that was to our advantage. When I asked, he was there. And I think this horse will be fine with running on."
Forbidden Kingdom held for second, finishing 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Winning Map. Kamui was another 4 1/2 lengths back to complete the order of finish.
Messier was a $470,000 purchase by Donato Lanni, agent for SF/Starlight/Madaket, from Sam-Son Farm at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Showcase. Named for the former NHL player Mark Messier, he is now a two-time winner from three starts and broke his maiden at second asking Oct. 22 at Santa Anita. His earnings stand at $105,600 for owners Golconda Stable, 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 Smart 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.