Nysos made his Graded Stakes debut a winning one with an impressive performance in the G3 Bob Hope Stakes at Del Mar on Sunday, 19 November.
The two-year-old Nyquist colt, who broke his maiden by over 10 lengths in his career debut, swept to the lead on the far turn then pulled away in the stretch while still under a hand-ride to win easily by eight-and-three-quarter lengths.
A compact field of four went to the post in the seven-furlong Bob Hope, with Nysos sent off as the heavy favorite. Patiently ridden by jockey Flavien Prat, Nysos raced close to the early pace, as all four runners practically raced in tandem down the backstretch.
Nysos made his move on the far turn, sweeping up on the outside to challenge Stronghold for the lead. He quickly put that rival away at the top of the lane before continuing to draw off in the stretch while never being threatened.
Bred in Kentucky by Susie Atkins, Nysos is out of the mare, Zetta Z, an unraced daughter of Bernardini. Nysos was purchased by his current connections for $550,000 at the 2023 OBS April Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The colt is a half-brother to the Stakes-placed filly, Attabe (Distorted Humor), and hails from the immediate family of G1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner, Unbridled Elaine and of Graded Stakes winners, Etched (G2 Meadowlands Cup), Emotionless (G2 Champagne Stakes in Eng.) and Out Of Bounds (G3 Sham Stakes).
Nysos continues the banner year being had by his sire Nyquist, who is also represented by G1 winners Randomized and Slow Down Andy, and also by Crimson Advocate, winner of the G2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot and Xigera, winner of the G2 Mother Goose. Xigera is scheduled to make her next start in the G2 Falls City Stakes at Churchill Downs on 23 November.
Nyquist will stand the 2024 breeding season at Jonabell Farm for $85,000, stands and nurses.
