Nysos tries two turns again in San Diego

Trainer Bob Baffert expressed a hope earlier this year that the talented Nysos would evolve into a Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) contender. The first step in determining whether that is a possibility occurs Saturday, when the fast son of Nyquist stretches back out in the $300,000 San Diego H. (G2) at Del Mar.

The 1 1/16-mile San Diego marks the first two-turn race for Nysos since February 2024, when he romped to a 7 1/2-length victory in the one-mile Robert B. Lewis (G3) at Santa Anita. He had previously won a six-furlong maiden by 10 lengths and the seven-furlong Bob Hope (G3) by 8 3/4 lengths.

Forced to the sidelines for the remainder of 2024, Nysos returned from a 15-month layoff in the May 3 Churchill Downs (G1), finishing in a dead-heat for second while only a neck behind subsequent Stephen Foster (G1) winner Mindframe.

"We're just keeping our fingers crossed that he stays healthy," Baffert said. "He's an exciting horse. He ran a big race at Churchill. It was disappointing he didn't win that one, but it was a tough race."

The seven-furlong Churchill Downs was indeed tough, also featuring the likes of Book'em Danno and Mullikin, the recent one-two finishers in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G2), and the iron horse Banishing, a recent stakes winner at Ellis Park. Nysos has franked the form himself, handily defeating three overmatched rivals in the Triple Bend (G3) when last seen on May 31.

Having earned a triple-digit Brisnet Speed rating in all five of his starts, Nysos will be difficult to topple in this potential prep for the 1 1/4-mile Pacific Classic (G1). But six horses will give it a go.

Midnight Mammoth, 10-length winner of the 1 1/2-mile Cougar II (G3) at Del Mar last summer, exits a strong second-place finish to Skippylongstocking in the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1). He, along with the Baffert-trained Mirahmadi, a Grade 1-placed dual allowance winner, both have early foot.

Hall of Fame debuts for trainer Michael McCarthy after being based in Kentucky and Louisiana with Steve Asmussen. The son of Gun Runner captured the Mineshaft (G3) in February, but earned minor checks in the New Orleans Classic (G2), Alysheba (G2), and Blame (G3) in his next three starts.

The field also includes the veteran Express Train, who captured the 2021 San Diego, and Judge Miller, the 2024 Hollywood Gold Cup third, who should appreciate the return to routing for the first time since that Grade 2 appearance 14 months ago.

The 2024 San Diego winner, Dr. Venkman, is one of nine horses vying for a Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) berth in the $400,000 Bing Crosby (G1) over six furlongs. Dr. Venkman has finished second in both outings this year, to Nysos in the Triple Bend and to Roll On Big Joe in the Kelly's Landing (G3) at Churchill Downs.

In addition to the Baffert-trained Malibu (G1) runner-up Hejazi, the Bing Crosby field also includes eastern shippers Crazy Mason and World Record. Crazy Mason, who landed the Carter (G2) in April, was most recently third to Book'em Danno in the True North (G3) over the slop at Saratoga. World Record, a Grade 2 winner at the Spa last season, was runner-up in the Aristides (G3) at Churchill Downs last time.