I won’t be home for the holiday as I will be laboring on Labor Day. Despite that, there is hope for the holiday, the Hopeful Stakes to be exact. As Saratoga winds down, the nation’s 2 year-old Thoroughbreds are racing forward.
Today, Monday 9/4/17, marks the end of Saratoga’s 40 day meet. The 9th race on a card of 10 is the final stakes race of the meet. It is the first Grade 1 stakes for 2 year-old Thoroughbreds. This month marks the start of the Road to the Kentucky Derby and it is the first month for the juvenile division races in the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In series.
The Hopeful Stakes was inaugurated in 1903. This 113th edition features colts with 1 to 2 starts to their career. The race is only 7 furlongs (0.88 miles) on dirt and carries a purse of $350,000. The first race posts at 12:30 P.M. EDT with this feature race posting at 5:05.
8 colts will contend in today’s Hopeful Stakes. The field is as follows by post/horse/jockey/trainer/and morning-line odds:
- Mojovation/John Velazquez/Todd Pletcher/2-1
- Oskar Blues/Dylan Davis/Kenneth McPeek/10-1
- Firenze Fire/Iras Ortiz, Jr./Jason Servis/7-2
- Psychoanalyze/Manuel Franco/Brian Lynch/15-1
- National Flag/Jose Ortiz/Todd Pletcher/9-2
- Sporting Chance/Luis Saez/D. Wayne Lukas/8-1
- Givemeaminit/Joel Rosario/Dallas Stewart/10-1
- Free Drop Billy/Robby Albarado/Dale Romans/4-1
It’s time to start watching for the star 2 year-old Thoroughbreds as they build their resumes. There is so much potential in this field. Happy Labor Day to all and enjoy your day at the races.
Share This: