Velocity Surprises Del Mar Oaks Field at 35-1

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trainer Michael McCarthy have had a magical season with Journalism this year, and that magic extended to Velocity in the Aug. 16 Del Mar Oaks (G1T). The filly surprised a more experienced field at 35-1 to score by a half-length. With a field of 11 that included the likes of Thought Process, a multiple graded winner and victress in the San Clemente Handicap (G2T) during the current Del Mar meeting, Velocity didn't receive much consideration from bettors. Even Journalism's fans might have preferred Thought Process, who had the services of the Preakness Stakes (G1) winner's jockey, Umberto Rispoli. While Rispoli is often McCarthy's go-to choice, Ricardo Gonzalez has done well with Velocity, partnering her in all of her previous starts. The rapport between the two was apparent in the Oaks, as Gonzalez gave her a beautiful ride that took advantage of the inside route. Casalu set a sensible early pace in the 1 1/8-mile Oaks, clicking off the first quarter-mile in :23.22 and a half-mile in :46.98. Thought Process, who went off as the 11-10 favorite, tracked Casalu in second while Gonzalez positioned Velocity in sixth, behind Edge of Mali (IRE) and jockey Antonio Fresu. "I had a wonderful trip," Gonzalez said. "I was following Antonio all the way around, waiting for a seam. As soon as I saw a little seam, she went right through it." The seam opened up as the field rounded the second turn and headed into the stretch. By then Thought Process had taken over as the leader while second-choice Lush Lips (GB) was rallying from seventh. Velocity darted through on the rail inside of Thought Process. Though Lush Lips continued to close on the outside, Velocity held her off for the victory, stopping the timer in 1:48.45 and paying $72 to win. Thought Process held on for third. "We always knew she could run, but to be honest I thought that she was going to be better on the dirt," Gonzalez said. "Once she transitioned to the turf, she turned into a different filly." Fifth in her only dirt effort, Velocity broke her maiden March 29 on the Santa Anita Park turf course. She then tried the downhill turf at that track in the April 27 Senorita Stakes (G3T), finishing fourth, and then at Del Mar captured a 1 1/16-mile allowance optional claimer July 20. McCarthy said that Velocity has trained well at Del Mar. "She's had a great couple of weeks down here," McCarthy said. "Walking into the paddock today, she was kind of throwing her tail around and just had a little spring in her step. She saddled up nicely, and walking out through the tunnel she was just a little jiggy-joggy, giving you all the right signs of a filly who had her mind on running today." McCarthy went on to praise Gonzalez's efforts. "I don't think Ricky gets enough credit," McCarthy said. "Very good rider, very underrated rider. He rode as good a race today as you'll see in America." Velocity is proving quite a bargain for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. She cost Eclipse just $75,000 at this year's Ocala Breeders' Sales March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training from consignor Two Oaks Equine. Bridie Harrison consigned the filly at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, where she sold for $27,000 to VC Corporation. Velocity increased her earnings to $274,800 with many more opportunities likely ahead for her. Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds bred Velocity in Kentucky from the Harlan's Holiday mare Blast, also bred by Blum. A winner and earner of $101,937, Blast is a half sister to stakes-winning Home Run Maker and has produced stakes-placed Open Road. Velocity joins Cavalieri, Nysos, Verity, Tenma, Crimson Advocate, Randomized, and Gosger as 2025 graded/group winners sired by Nyquist. Champion 2-year-old male of 2015, Nyquist won that year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) en route to capturing the 2016 Kentucky Derby (G1). The stallion stood for a 2025 stud fee of $175,000 at Darley near Lexington.