The Bob Hope Stakes is a Grade III Thoroughbred race for two-year-olds held at Del Mar Racetrack in California. Contested over seven furlongs on dirt, the race is an important late-season test for promising juvenile runners developing beyond the shorter sprint distances. It rewards horses capable of combining early speed, tactical maturity and a sustained finishing effort against graded stakes competition. These characteristics make the race an interesting handicapping opportunity for bettors comparing young horses with different levels of experience. Explore the latest Bob Hope Stakes odds, entries, post positions, past winners and online horse betting information below.
| Date | Sunday, November 15, 2026 |
| Track | Del Mar Racetrack |
| Race | TBA |
| Distance | 7 furlongs |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Grade | Grade III |
| Purse | $100,000 guaranteed |
| Age | 2-year-olds |
| Post Time | TBA (PT) |
Bob Hope Stakes Entries & Odds: Review the official field below for post positions, jockeys, trainers and available morning-line prices once entries are confirmed. Check for scratches and betting updates before making your selections.
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | ALA SAWAB | TBA | John W. Sadler | TBA |
| TBA | DANG SON | TBA | Doug F. O'Neill | TBA |
| TBA | DATS IMPROBABLE | TBA | Doug F. O'Neill | TBA |
| TBA | DOMUS | TBA | Bob Baffert | TBA |
| TBA | EMANCIPATE | TBA | Bob Baffert | TBA |
| TBA | FRACTIOUS | TBA | Doug F. O'Neill | TBA |
| TBA | JIMMY'S WINCHESTER | TBA | Doug F. O'Neill | TBA |
| TBA | KIVO | TBA | Bob Baffert | TBA |
| TBA | MIXIT | TBA | John W. Sadler | TBA |
| TBA | PHONE BOOTH | TBA | Doug F. O'Neill | TBA |
| TBA | SIP IT | TBA | Doug F. O'Neill | TBA |
The Bob Hope Stakes is scheduled for November 15, 2026, at Del Mar. Official post positions, jockeys, and morning-line odds will be updated after the formal entry draw. Check for scratches and wagering updates before betting.
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The Bob Hope Stakes provides an intriguing betting challenge because two-year-old horses can improve considerably between starts. A young runner may arrive with impressive sprint form but still need to demonstrate the stamina and composure required to handle seven furlongs against stronger opposition. Others may be gaining experience rapidly after only one or two appearances. Unlike older stakes runners with extensive records, juveniles often present a smaller sample of performances, increasing the importance of evaluating how they earned their speed figures rather than simply comparing the numbers. Bettors studying the Bob Hope Stakes odds should examine early pace, finishing ability, class progression, recent workouts and whether each runner has previously handled the Del Mar dirt surface.
The seven-furlong distance creates a particularly interesting comparison between natural sprinters and developing route prospects. Horses exiting races such as the Best Pal Stakes or Del Mar Futurity may offer useful evidence of class and track familiarity. However, a strong effort under favorable circumstances does not guarantee the same result against a different field. Some juveniles may benefit from an uncontested lead, while others improve when allowed to settle and finish strongly. Identifying a horse whose developing form and expected trip are better than its market price suggests can create an attractive betting opportunity.
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Juvenile development and seven-furlong suitability should be central to a Bob Hope Stakes handicap. Young horses may improve with racing experience, making recent performances particularly important. Examine how each runner broke from the gate, handled pressure, responded when challenged and finished its previous races. A horse that recorded fast early fractions before weakening may find seven furlongs demanding, while one that finished strongly at six furlongs could benefit from the extra distance. Consider whether the horse has already faced stakes-level opposition, how its speed figures were earned and whether recent workouts suggest continued development. A limited racing record should not automatically disqualify a contender, but it introduces uncertainty that needs to be reflected in the betting price.
Pace, post position and race-day behavior can be especially influential with inexperienced two-year-olds. A clean start matters in a seven-furlong dirt race, and a juvenile forced into an uncomfortable early position may struggle to recover. Look for runners with enough tactical versatility to adapt if another horse establishes the lead. Post positions should be assessed alongside running styles and the size of the field rather than treated as an isolated advantage. Also consider jockey experience, trainer patterns with young horses, changes in equipment and the ability to settle before the race. Comparing these factors against the available odds helps distinguish genuine value from the uncertainty associated with lightly raced juveniles.
The Bob Hope Stakes traces its history to the Hollywood Prevue Stakes, a juvenile dirt event formerly associated with Hollywood Park. The race was renamed to honor entertainer Bob Hope and became part of Del Mar's fall racing program after the closure of Hollywood Park. Its modern seven-furlong format provides an important opportunity for promising two-year-olds to compete for graded stakes honors late in the season. The event complements the California juvenile racing program, which includes summer contests such as the Best Pal Stakes and Grade I Del Mar Futurity.
The Bob Hope Stakes has produced several notable winners, including Messier, Havnameltdown, Nysos and Bullard. Nysos delivered a dominant performance in his edition, while Bullard demonstrated the effectiveness of a strong closing run when winning under Umberto Rispoli. Earlier winners include Red Flag and High Velocity, reflecting the race's association with developing West Coast dirt talent. The event was not held in 2025 after insufficient entries prevented the race from filling, illustrating how juvenile participation can affect the stakes calendar. The table below presents the five most recent completed editions rather than including a year in which no winner was recorded.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Bullard | Umberto Rispoli | 1:22.55 |
| 2023 | Nysos | Flavien Prat | 1:21.71 |
| 2022 | Havnameltdown | Juan J. Hernandez | 1:21.68 |
| 2021 | Messier | Flavien Prat | 1:22.74 |
| 2020 | Red Flag | Victor Espinoza | 1:23.56 |
The 2025 Bob Hope Stakes was canceled and is omitted from the completed-editions table.
The Bob Hope Stakes is a Grade III Thoroughbred dirt race for two-year-olds at Del Mar. It is a late-season juvenile test over seven furlongs, emphasizing speed, developing stamina and graded stakes ability.
The Bob Hope Stakes is held at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California, during the track's fall meeting. The event was previously associated with Hollywood Park under its former name.
The race is normally scheduled during Del Mar's fall racing season. Its exact date, race number and post time are provided in the current race information table, subject to the official racing schedule.
The Bob Hope Stakes is contested over seven furlongs, equivalent to seven-eighths of a mile, on dirt. The distance challenges young sprinters to sustain their speed beyond conventional six-furlong races.
The Bob Hope Stakes is classified as a Grade III race under its current conditions. Its graded status is subject to review by the appropriate racing authorities.
The purse is established by Del Mar for each running and can vary over time. The current guaranteed purse appears in the race information table above.
The Bob Hope Stakes is restricted to eligible two-year-old Thoroughbreds. Official entry conditions determine nominations, weights, allowances and preferences for the field.
The Bob Hope Stakes odds table above provides the field, post positions, jockeys, trainers and available morning-line prices once the official entries have been announced. Morning-line prices are not live wagering odds.
Examine recent speed figures, finishing strength, early pace, gate behavior, distance suitability, workouts and experience against stronger opposition. Because juvenile form can change quickly, consider both demonstrated ability and the uncertainty associated with limited racing records.
No. The Bob Hope Stakes is not currently an official Road to the Kentucky Derby points race. It can help identify promising juvenile dirt runners, but winning does not automatically award Derby qualifying points.
No. The Bob Hope Stakes is not currently designated as a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series Win and You're In qualifying event. Its late-season placement also generally follows the Breeders' Cup championships.
Review available Horse Racing Odds, select Del Mar through a permitted racebook and compare betting markets once wagering opens. Eligible BUSR customers can also review horse betting rebates on qualifying wagers.
Explore more California racing at Del Mar Racetrack and follow upcoming stakes through the Graded Stakes Schedule.
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