Not all 2-year-olds have aspirations of working within the Kentucky Derby Offered by Woodford Reserve on the primary Saturday in Might. Some have distance limitations, although that doesn’t imply they can not have a extremely productive profession as a sprinter. In Sunday’s Bob Hope Stakes at Del Mar, six 2-year-old sprinters will sq. off in a check that would propel them towards a profitable 3-year-old marketing campaign in one-turn stakes or, maybe, land them on the Triple Crown path.
1. McKinzie Road (2-1 morning-line odds): Drained and completed third when examined round two turns within the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes Offered by DK Horse. Was second earlier than that within the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs and figures to be a primary risk right here.
JOCKEY: Kazushi Kimura; TRAINER: Tim Yakteen
2. Dr Ruben M (20-1): He wanted 4 cracks to interrupt his maiden, lastly successful at a two-turn mile. Often exhibits early velocity and the quicker fractions at this distance may work in opposition to him whereas stepping up in school.
JOCKEY: Edwin Maldonado; TRAINER: Doug O’Neill
3. Kalea Bay (9-5): He’s skilled by Bob Baffert, who has gained this stakes 13 occasions, together with the final three editions and 7 of the final 9. In order that alone makes him a contender. Come off a strong maiden win in his third begin in quick time. He’s sired by a Kentucky Derby/Breeders’ Cup Traditional winner in Genuine so the added furlong shouldn’t be an element.
JOCKEY: Juan Hernandez; TRAINER: Bob Baffert
4. Madaket Highway (10-1): He’s a first-time starter, which usually doesn’t bode properly for his probabilities in a graded stakes. However he’s skilled by Baffert and is popping in bullet exercises, so ignoring him may very well be a giant mistake in a subject the place nobody has a couple of win.
JOCKEY: Antonio Fresu; TRAINER: Bob Baffert
5. Bullard (8-5): Closed sharply to win his debut, rallying from seventh in a six-furlong dash on this observe. The added furlong ought to be to his profit however he in all probability will want a fast tempo in entrance of him to prevail.
JOCKEY: Umberto Rispoli; TRAINER: Michael McCarthy
6. Maximus (15-1): Was a simple debut winner at Del Mar by 9 1/4 lengths. However that was a restricted maiden race and the time was a reduce beneath the highest contenders. Others are extra interesting regardless of the lopsided win.
JOCKEY: Diego Herrera; TRAINER: Cesar DeAlba
THE PICK: Kalea Bay
LIVE LONGSHOT: Madaket Highway
TRIFECTA: 3-5-4