Velocity sparks $72 upset in Del Mar Oaks

As her 35-1 odds implied, Velocity had plenty to prove going into Saturday’s $303,000 Del Mar Oaks (G1). But the Michael McCarthy pupil capitalized on a ground-saving ride by Ricardo Gonzalez to floor Lush Lips and Thought Process at Del Mar.

Velocity was light on credentials compared to market leaders Thought Process (the 1.10-1 favorite) and Lush Lips (the 1.70-1 second choice). Fourth in her only prior stakes attempt in a turf sprint, the April 27 Senorita (G3) at Santa Anita, she just scraped home by a nose in her two-turn bow here on July 20. 

If Velocity had a case, it revolved around her unexposed profile and her successful connections. Campaigned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, like past Del Mar Oaks winners Red Lark (2020) and Anisette (2023), she was bred in Kentucky by Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds. The daughter of 2016 Kentucky Derby (G1) champion Nyquist had only four starts under her belt, and she was 2-for-3 on turf.

Even so, Velocity had to step up to spring the upset. She also exploited the respective liabilities of the favorites. While Thought Process failed to stay the 1 1/8-mile trip well enough after chasing the pace, Lush Lips had to rally out wide. Her ground loss was arguably the difference between victory and defeat. 

Velocity rode the rail much of the way in midpack. Up front, Casalu sped through fractions of :23.22, :46.98, and 1:11.48. Thought Process tackled her in the lane, but the favorite could not achieve separation and found herself hunted down by the closers. 

Lush Lips and Velocity, who raced in tandem on the far turn, took different paths into the lane. Velocity came around only one rival before diving back inside, and that maneuver enabled her to unleash the fullness of her momentum. Lush Lips steered outside and gained traction once straightening, but by then, it was too late.

Velocity crossed the wire a half-length up on Lush Lips in 1:48.45. Thought Process checked in another three-quarters of a length adrift in third. 

British import Take a Breath, who didn’t break well in her stateside debut, rattled home smartly for fourth. Will Then ran evenly in fifth. Slick, Firenze Flavor, Casalu, Edge of Mali, and Resolve concluded the order of finish. 

Miso Phansy was scratched, allowing the also-eligible maiden, Striver, to take her chance. Striver briefly tried to flash speed on the far outside but was soon out of contention. Ultimately pulled up, Striver walked off the course.

Velocity’s win payout of $72 wasn’t quite the biggest upset in Del Mar Oaks history. According to the media guide, that distinction belongs to the $86.60 shocker pulled by Greta in 1968. 

Unraced at two, Velocity was a well-beaten fifth in her Feb. 21 premiere in a Santa Anita dirt sprint. The bay immediately switched to a turf sprint and broke her maiden by a nose. Her solid fourth in the Senorita hinted that routing might be her game, and her 1 1/16-mile allowance score confirmed it. The Del Mar Oaks proved that she has the class, too, improving her line to 5-3-0-0, $274,800.

Velocity, a $75,000 OBS March juvenile, is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Open Road. They are out of the Harlan’s Holiday mare Blast, who is herself a full sister to Grade 1-placed Fun. Velocity’s third dam is Grade 2 scorer Ninth Inning, a descendant of the influential matron Mono.