Velocity dove through an opening along the rail in the stretch and held off the late charge from Lush Lips to win the G1 Del Mar Oaks by a half-length at Del Mar Aug. 16.
Unraced as a juvenile, the lightly raced daughter of Nyquist was winning for the third time in just five starts as a three-year-old. Velocity entered the Del Mar Oaks off a nose victory in an allowance race over the same turf course July 20.
Settled in mid-pack early as the pacesetter Casalu rolled through an opening quarter in :23.22 and a half in :46.98, Velocity was stuck behind a wall of horses as the field entered the homestretch. The Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners’ filly took advantage of a narrow opening along the inside rail, powering her way to the front with less than a furlong to run.
Under a drive from jockey Ricky Gonzalez, Velocity had plenty left in the tank to hold off the late rush from Lush Lips to earn the victory. Favored Thought Process rallied to claim third.
Velocity was bred in Kentucky by Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds LLC, and is out of the Harlan’s Holiday mare, Blast, a full sister to Graded Stakes-placed Fun and a half sister to Stakes winner, Home Run Maker (Into Mischief). In addition to Velocity, Blast is the dam of the multiple Stakes-placed Open Road (Quality Road).
Velocity is the eighth Graded Stakes winner and second G1 winner of the year for her sire, Nyquist. In addition to Velocity, the stallion is represented in 2025 by Cavalieri (G1 Beholder Mile), Nysos (G2), Verity (G2), Crimson Advocate (G2), Tenma (G2) and G3 winners Gosger and Randomized.
