Bob Hope Stakes

The Bob Hope Stakes is a Listed American Thoroughbred horse race for two-year-olds over a distance of seven furlongs on the dirt track scheduled annually in November at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. The event currently carries a purse of $100,000. History

The event was inaugurated on 14 November 1981 as the Hollywood Prevue Stakes at Hollywood Park Racetrack and was won by the undefeated Sepulveda who was trained by the US Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas and ridden by the US Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron in a time of 1:22 flat.

In 1985 the event was classified as Grade III.

Between 1990 and 1995, the Breeders' Cup sponsored the event which reflected in the name of the event.

From 2006 to 2014 it was held on a synthetic dirt surface.

With the closure of Hollywood Park Racetrack in 2013 the event was renamed to the Bob Hope Stakes and moved to Del Mar Racetrack. Actor Bob Hope, frequented the Del Mar racetrack often and made seven "Road" musical comedy movies with Bing Crosby, who was the Del Mar Turf Club original president and de facto publicist.

In 2025 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Listed status.

Records Speed record: 1:20.63 - Lion Heart (2003)

Margins: lengths – Nyros (2023)

Most wins by a jockey: 5 - Victor Espinoza (2000, 2004, 2014, 2017, 2020)

Most wins by a trainer: 13 - Bob Baffert (1996, 1997, 1998, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2004, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)

Most wins by an owner: 4 - Michael E. Pegram (1997, 2012, 2015, 2022)

Winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade RefAt Del Mar – Bob Hope Stakes2025Race not held2024BullardUmberto RispoliMichael W. McCarthySt. Elias Stable, Talla Racing LLC, Three Chimneys Farm and West Point Thoroughbreds7 furlongs1:22.55$100,000III2023NysosFlavien PratBob BaffertBaoma Corp7 furlongs1:21.71$98,000III2022HavnameltdownJuan J. HernandezBob BaffertKarl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman7 furlongs1:21.68$100,000III2021MessierFlavien Prat Bob BaffertSF Racing, Starlight Racing & Madaket Stables7 furlongs1:22.74$98,000III2020Red Flag Victor EspinozaJohn ShirreffsJerome S. & Tina Moss7 furlongs1:23.56$100,500III2019High VelocityDrayden Van DykeBob BaffertGary & Mary West7 furlongs1:23.16$98,000III2018Mucho GustoJoseph TalamoBob BaffertMichael Lund Petersen7 furlongs1:23.51$100,000III2017GreyvitosVictor EspinozaAdam KitchingmanTriple B Farms7 furlongs1:22.20$100,345III2016MasteryMike E. SmithBob BaffertCheyenne Stables7 furlongs1:23.32$100,000III2015Toews On IceMartin GarciaBob Baffert Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman 7 furlongs1:22.27$100,500III2014No ProblemVictor EspinozaMichael W. McCarthyP and G Stables7 furlongs1:23.48$100,750IIIAt Hollywood Park – Hollywood Prevue Stakes2013Shared BeliefCorey NakataniJerry HollendorferJungle Racing, Jerry Hollendorfer, Alex Solis II, Jason Litt & George Todaro 7 furlongs1:22.17$100,000III2012Really Mr GreelyJulien R. LeparouxBob Baffert Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman 7 furlongs1:22.84$100,000III2011So BrilliantMartin GarciaBob BaffertArnold Zetcher7 furlongs1:22.96$100,000III2010Premier PegasusAlonso QuinonezCho Myung Kwon Cho Myung Kwon 7 furlongs1:22.78$100,000III2009American LionJulien R. LeparouxEoin G. HartyWinStar Farm7 furlongs1:22.49$100,000III2008Jack o' LanternIsaias D. EnriquezRichard P. Matlow Purple Shamrock Racing & Bruce Chandler 7 furlongs1:21.89$103,700III2007Massive DramaKent J. DesormeauxBob BaffertZayat Stables7 furlongs1:21.48$109,200III2006§ BelgraviaJulien R. LeparouxPatrick L. BianconeZayat Stables, Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier & Michael Tabor 7 furlongs1:22.42$100,000III2005Your Tent Or MinePat ValenzuelaNeil D. DrysdaleAnthony Speelman7 furlongs1:21.12$100,000III2004Declan's MoonVictor EspinozaRonald W. EllisJay Em Ess Stable7 furlongs1:21.74$100,000III2003Lion HeartMike E. SmithPatrick L. BianconeDerrick Smith & Michael Tabor 7 furlongs1:20.63$100,000III2002Alex O. SolisRafael BecerraStan E. Fulton7 furlongs1:22.68$125,000III2001Fonz'sLaffit Pincay Jr.David La CroixGene Anderson & Meadowbrook Farm 7 furlongs1:22.03$100,000III2000Proud TowerVictor EspinozaJose Luna SilvaTricar Stables7 furlongs1:23.01$100,000III1999Grey MemoMatt S. GarciaWarren StuteRon Manzani, Ridgeley Farm & Russ Sarno 7 furlongs1:24.44$100,000III1998Premier PropertyDavid R. FloresBob BaffertHal J. Earnhardt III7 furlongs1:23.29$100,000III1997CommitisizeDavid R. FloresBob Baffert Michael E. Pegram7 furlongs1:21.64$100,000III1996In Excessive BullCorey NakataniBob BaffertHal J. Earnhardt III7 furlongs1:21.54$101,700III1995Cobra KingChris McCarronMike PuypeBetty Biszantz7 furlongs1:21.25$103,175III1994Afternoon DeelitesKent J. DesormeauxRichard E. MandellaBurt Bacharach7 furlongs1:20.98$96,250III1993Individual StyleChris AntleyLin WheelerFirst Cabin Stable7 furlongs1:21.17$89,225III1992Stuka Pat ValenzuelaGary F. JonesAllen E. Paulson7 furlongs1:21.94$107,350III1991Star of the CropGary L. StevensWillard L. ProctorGlen Hill Farm7 furlongs1:22.30$102,700III1990OlympioRon McAnallyVerne Winchell7 furlongs1:21.80$107,600III1989IndividualistRobbie DavisDavid E. Hofmans Golden Eagle Farm7 furlongs1:22.20$80,350III1988King GloriousChris McCarronJerry HollendorferHalo Farms7 furlongs1:21.20$80,900III1987Race not held1986Exclusive EnoughBill ShoemakerJack Van BergDorothy Scharbraur7 furlongs1:23.00$79,650III 1985Judge SmellsChris McCarronThomas L. WalkerCalumet Farm7 furlongs1:23.00$80,500III1984First NormanBill ShoemakerAlbert S. BarreraNorman Silverman & Lazaro S. Barrera7 furlongs1:22.20$108,700 Listed1983† So VaguePatricia CookseyGerard M. RussellHyperion Thoroughbreds7 furlongs1:22.20$121,300 Listed1982CopelanJerry D. BaileyMitchell GriffinFred W. Hooper7 furlongs1:21.40$107,850 1981SepulvedaChris McCarronD. Wayne LukasTartan Stable7 furlongs1:22.00$78,357

Legend:

Notes:

§ Ran as an entry

† Field

See also List of American and Canadian Graded races

External links 2020 Del Mar Media Guide

References