The Hopeful Stakes closes the curtain on the Saratoga stand on Monday and a progressing field of 7 will try to take that first step toward possible glory in next year’s Kentucky Derby.
The Hopeful Stakes, aptly named because of what the future may bring, is a ‘win and you’re in’ part of the Breeders’ Challenge Series. The winner will earn a berth to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
Whirlaway won the Hopeful Stakes back in the day and went on to not only win the Kentucky Derby but he won the Triple Crown in 1941. Foolish Pleasure and Affirmed also parlayed wins in the Hopeful Stakes to Kentucky Derby success and Affirmed also won the Triple Crown. Arguably the greatest horse of all time Secretariat won the Hopeful in 1973.
This year 3 of the 7 runners in the Hopeful Stakes are stakes winners but let’s start with those that have not won a stakes.
Everybodyluvsrudy is not only not a stakes winner, he lost his only start. The son of Union Rags has an underwhelming pedigree as his top sibling won over $100,000 but just was one for 12.
Practical Joke did all the laughing in the debut when he won by 5 clear lengths with an 83 Beyer Speed Figure. He overcame a bump at the break in his debut and is trained by the leading Saratoga trainer, Chad Brown.
Royal Copy takes breakfast at the stable of Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. This $350,000 purchase was wide in his debut, had the lead briefly in his second start and then beat Maiden Special Weight rivals on August 18 with a 72 Beyer.
Pretty Boy Flash is improving. His 2 Beyers since the debut have escalated and although he was nearly 4 lengths clear last time, he was beaten by Royal Copy.
Classic Empire has a right to have a stellar career as his dam was a Grade 1 winner and banked over $300,000. He draws post 6 this time after winning his only 2 races when he started from the rail. The colt is by Pioneerof the Nile, American Pharoah’s sire, and he has proven he can handle any kind of going. Despite a slow start in the debut, Classic Empire proved the prompt 1-2 winner. He returned at Churchill Downs in July and took the Grade 3 Bashford Manor Stakes when he again overcame a poor start. He will have to break with his field Monday to earn the glory.
Runaway Lute is stepping a bit out of his league although he has won a stakes. He is a New York-bred son of the speedy Midnight Lute and he has shown the ability to win from on or off the pace. The winning margin of his debut was 12 lengths and he came back to win his only other start in a $122,000 restricted stakes by nearly 9 lengths. He does have the blood to star as his sibling Judy Soda took multiple stakes and banked nearly $400,000.
Home-court advantage in the National Basketball Association is usually worth at least 3 points and Bitumen is hoping his home-court advantage works big time. Bitumen did something winning his first race that players don’t see every day. He lost the lead briefly and then came back to win at Churchill by nearly 7 lengths. In his only other start, the Sanford at Saratoga on July 23, the son of Mineshaft settled nicely early, got within a head of the leader at the top of the stretch and went on to win going away.
Trained by the very capable Eddie Kenneally, Bitumen has put in 4 solid drills at Saratoga since the Sanford and appears to be coming to the race at the top of his game.
As far as the shape of the race is concerned, there is not a ton of speed in the Hopeful Stakes this year. Runaway Lute figures to be sent along, Royal Copy could be close up and Pretty Boy Flash will not be that far off the pace.
This could leave Bitumen in an ideal position, sitting 3 or 4 lengths off a live pace eager to pounce if the leaders wilt. Look for Bitumen to be asked at the top of the lane and respond with a win in the Hopeful Stakes.
