The ultra-talented Nysos attempts to stretch his speed in his longest test in the $300,000, 1 1/16-mile San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar. Arguably one of the best horses currently in training, but without a grade 1 win, a victory in the San Diego could prepare the colt for top-level glory in the $1 million Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) at the end of the meet.
Four-for-five in his brief career, Nysos exits a 5 1/2-length score over Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) contender Dr. Venkman in the May 31 Triple Bend Stakes (G3), where the Baoma Corp runner recorded a career-high 117 Equibase Speed Figure. The performance followed the colt's heartbreaking defeat in the Churchill Downs Stakes (G1) on Kentucky Derby Day, in which he fell a neck short of Mindframe in his first race in 15 months.
Trainer Bob Baffert feels Nysos is more than capable of handling an extra route of round in the San Diego. In the colt's only previous try around two turns, he romped to a 7 1/2-length win in the 2024 Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) going a mile.
"He's a classic horse—he can go all day," Baffert said after Nysos' Triple Bend victory.
Nysos' versatility could prove extremely valuable come Breeders' Cup time, where the son of Nyquist could start as a key player in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, Dirt Mile, or Classic (all G1). As part of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen Bonus Series, the San Diego awards $15,000 to the winner, $7,500 to the runner-up, and $3,750 to the third-place finisher to apply toward entry fees for the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Nov. 1.
Although Juan Hernandez piloted Nysos in the Triple Bend, Flavien Prat gets back aboard the bay Saturday.
Baffert, a two-time winner of the San Diego, will also saddle Mirahmadi in the San Diego. The $1.05 million yearling purchase has been brilliant in his three wins in maiden and allowance company, but the son of Into Mischief has yet to capitalize on that form against stakes company.
The likely pacesetter Saturday, Mirahmadi exits an explosive gate-to-wire triumph in an allowance optional claiming contest at Santa Anita June 12.
Hernandez, the colt's regular rider, has the call.
C R K Stable's veteran runner Express Train, third in last year's San Diego, enters off two runner-up efforts in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) and San Pasqual Stakes (G2). Trained by John Shirreffs, the 8-year-old has been a consistent player on the Southern California circuit and won the 2021 edition of the San Diego.
Hall of Fame makes his West Coast debut for new trainer Michael McCarthy in the San Diego after being in the care of Steve Asmussen for the majority of his career. The 4-year-old son of Gun Runner has been winless in three starts since capturing the Mineshaft Stakes (G3) in February at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Previously owned by a Coolmore-led partnership, Hall of Fame will run Saturday in the yellow silks of Claiborne Farm, now listed as lessee owner.
Del Mar, Saturday, July 26, 2025, Race 8Entries: San Diego H. (G2)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L 1 1Midnight Mammoth (KY) Armando Ayuso 120 Craig Dollase 12/1 2 2Nysos (KY) Flavien Prat 124 Bob Baffert 3/5 3 3Mirahmadi (KY) Juan J. Hernandez 119 Bob Baffert 8/1 4 4Express Train (KY) Mike E. Smith 121 John A. Shirreffs 5/1 5 5Hall of Fame (KY) Kazushi Kimura 121 Michael W. McCarthy 6/1 6 6Tarantino (KY) Edwin A. Maldonado 118 Peter Eurton 20/1 7 7Judge Miller (KY) Antonio Fresu 119 Mark Glatt 8/1
