Impressive Debut Winner Nysos Steps Up in Bob Hope

Baoma's Nysos , a 2-year-old on everyone's radar after his flashy 10 1/2-length debut romp, takes the jump into stakes company in the Nov. 19 $100,000 Bob Hope Stakes (G3) at Del Mar.

Trained by Bob Baffert, who also sends out grade 1-placed Wine Me Up  and Mission Beach  in the seven-furlong Bob Hope, Nysos will start as the likely morning-line favorite off his dazzling maiden performance Oct. 21. In that effort, the 2-year-old son of Nyquist   vied for the early lead before drawing away at the top of the lane, stopping the timer in a blazing 1:08.97 for the six furlongs.

Nysos, a $550,000 purchase at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, will be ridden by Flavien Prat in his second trip to the post.

The biggest challenge to Nysos could come from his stablemate Wine Me Up. Owned in partnership by Michael Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman, the Vino Rosso   colt graduated first time out in front-running fashion at Del Mar going six furlongs before finishing a solid second to barn mate Muth  when trying two turns in the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) Oct. 7. Taking on the country's best in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), the colt settled for eighth.

He wheels back in 16 days and shortens up in trip for the Bob Hope, where Ramon Vazquez has the mount.

Last-out maiden winners Tejon Pass  and Stronghold  oppose the Baffert trio.