Nysos © Benoit Photo
Baoma Corp’s Nysos, with odds of 1/9, was tasked with facing five competitors and executed his role effortlessly, pulling ahead in the stretch to secure a victory of two and three-quarter lengths in the 84th San Diego Handicap held at Del Mar on Saturday.
This striking Nyquist colt was expertly ridden by champion jockey Flavien Prat and is trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. Together, they celebrated their 100th stakes win at Del Mar (for Prat) and Baffert’s record-breaking 179th stakes victory.
The 4-year-old bay horse returned a minimum payout of $2.20 to his supporters and claimed a first prize of $180,000 from the total purse of $300,500 in this Grade II event. He completed the mile and one-sixteenth distance in a time of 1:42.61, bringing his career earnings to $598,500 from five wins and one second place in six races.
Taking second place was Mirahmadi, owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, et al., finishing three and a quarter lengths ahead of Tarantino, owned by Bernsen or Rockingham Ranch.
The San Diego Handicap serves as a crucial prep race for the track’s main event—the $1,000,000 Grade I Pacific Classic, scheduled for Saturday, August 30.
Baffert noted that, if all goes smoothly, the Pacific Classic is likely to be the next stop for Nysos.
FLAVIEN PRAT (Nysos, winner) – “He broke well and was quite comfortable inside, so I kept him there. He maintained his comfort throughout the race. I had no special instructions other than to ride. Will he handle longer distances? Well, you don’t truly know until they try, but I believe he can manage it.”
BOB BAFFERT (Nysos, winner) – “He was prepared. (Flavien) Prat was patient behind the others and had enough horse to take the inside route. Once he found that gap, I knew it was done. I’m happy to win the San Diego; I haven’t had the best fortune in this race before, with some great horses getting beaten here. There was a lot of pressure; I felt similar to what Bill Mott likely experienced today (at the Jim Dandy at Saratoga). It’s a relief this horse won, and hopefully, the Pacific Classic is next in line for him.”
FRACTIONS: M:23.49 :46.91 1:10.82 1:36.30 1:42.61
This stakes win marks the first of the meet for rider Prat and his inaugural victory in the San Diego. He has now reached 100 stakes wins at Del Mar, ranking fifth among all riders.
For trainer Baffert, this is his first stakes win of the meet and his third in the San Diego. He holds a remarkable total of 179 stakes victories at Del Mar, the highest of any trainer.
The winning ownership group is Baoma Corp, led by Charles and Susan Chu from Massachusetts.
