In the world of horse racing, Bullard has emerged as an intriguing prospect. With his recent victory in the $100,000 Bob Hope (G3) and an unbeaten record in two starts, he is turning heads. Let's delve into the details of this promising young horse.

An Unforgettable Bob Hope Performance

In the $100,000 Bob Hope (G3) on Sunday, November 17, Bullard was sent off as the even-money favorite despite facing tough competition from multiple Grade 1-placed McKinzie Street. Although he was outrun through sizzling early fractions, Bullard showed remarkable determination. He circled the field four-wide and breezed under the wire 4 3/4 lengths in front, completing seven furlongs in 1:22.55. This performance demonstrated his speed and tenacity.Bullard graduated at first asking on September 1 with a last-to-first victory, besting six rivals over Del Mar’s main oval. Completing 6-furlongs in 1:10.32 with a 12.69 final furlong, he showcased his ability to come from behind and win. Bred by Three Chimneys Farm and sold for $675,000 to a partnership, Bullard has already earned $105,000.

Sire and Offspring

Bullard is a son of 2017 Horse of the Year Gun Runner (Candy Ride (ARG) – Quiet Giant, by Giant’s Causeway). The stallion has been phenomenal in his few short years at stud, siring 34 stakes winners in only four crops of racing age. His offspring mature from quirky 2-year-olds into professional older horses, capable of competing at the highest levels, from sprints to classic distances.

Female Family

Bullard’s female family is anchored by his third and fourth dams, Blush With Pride and Best in Show. He hails from the same family as Belmont Stakes winners Arcangelo, Rags to Riches, and Jazil.Best in Show (Traffic Judge) bore 17 foals, with eight leaving their mark from Europe to Australia. Her son Malionwski was 1975’s Irish champion 2-year-old male. But her daughters shined as broodmares, producing many champions.Blush With Pride’s Grade 1-winning daughter Better Than Honor (Deputy Minister) gave us the back-to-back Belmont Stakes winners Jazil (Seeking the Gold) and Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy), plus Breeders’ Cup Marathon winner Man of Iron (Giant’s Causeway). Better Than Honor is the second dam of 2023 Champion 3-year-old colt Arcangelo.Better Than Honor’s daughter, French Group 2 winning turf miler Smolensk (Danzig), is Bullard’s second dam. Her son Can the Man (Into Mischief) is a multiple stakes winner, including the Affirmed (G3), and he placed in the Del Mar Futurity (G1).Smolensk’s daughter Martha’s Moon (Malibu Moon) is a multiple stakes winning sprinter/miler, and her daughter Rapid Transaction (A. P. Indy) bore a French stakes winner. Bullard’s dam, Reve d’Amour, is the most accomplished producer in this family.

Damsire

Warrior’s Reward (Medaglia d’Oro – For All You Do, by Seeking the Gold) made 17 starts in two years as a sprinter/miler. He captured the 7-furlong Carter Handicap (G1) and placed at 1 1/16 miles in multiple Grade 2 and Grade 3 contests.Warrior’s Reward is the damsire of 14 stakes winners, led by Test (G1) heroine Ways and Means, Champagne (G1) winner Blazing Sevens, and Grade 1 winning turf miler Surge Capacity. Despite his distance-oriented pedigree, none of his daughters have produced a stakes winner beyond 1 1/16 miles.

Kentucky Derby Contender or Pretender?

While no winner of the Bob Hope (G3) has gone on to win the Kentucky Derby, Bullard shows promise. He has a smooth gait without excessive knee action or paddling. Although he was slow to switch leads in the stretch and drifted initially, once clear, he kept a straight path.Bullard is a well-proportioned, not overly muscular bay with a conformation that suggests sprints to 1 1/8 miles may be his best range. However, his talent, conditioning, and closing running style could take him further. He may have a say in some of next year’s Kentucky Derby qualifying races.