Hopeful Stakes

Last updated
Hopeful Stakes
Grade I race
Location Saratoga Race Course
Saratoga Springs, New York, United States
Inaugurated1903
Race type ThoroughbredFlat racing
Website https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/stakes-schedule/hopeful/
Race information
Distance7 furlongs
SurfaceDirt
Trackleft-handed
QualificationTwo-year-olds
Weight120 lbs.
Purse$300,000 (2021) [1]

The Hopeful Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Open to two-year-old horses, the Hopeful is the first Grade I stakes for two-year-olds each season and historically has been a showcase for some of the top East Coast horses at that age group. Raced on the dirt over a distance of seven furlongs, the Grade I event currently offers a purse of $350,000.

Contents

Inaugurated in 1903, the first edition was won by Delhi who went on to win the 1904 Belmont Stakes. In 1904, the Hopeful Stakes was won by the filly Tanya. She would go on to win the 1905 Belmont Stakes.

Initially raced at a distance of six furlongs, from 1925 through 1993 it was run at 6+12 furlongs and since 1994 at seven furlongs. Currently, the Hopeful Stakes is the first influential prep race leading up to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and since 1925 has been a competition that marks the first time two-year-olds are tested at a distance beyond six furlongs. The name stems from the hope that every two-year-old handler has for their horse's racing future.

Due to the State of New York's legislated ban on parimutuel betting, there was no race in 1911 and 1912. During World War II, the Hopeful Stakes was run at Belmont Park in 1943, 1944, and 1945.

Only four horses have ever won all three Saratoga stakes events for two-year-olds. Regret (1914), Campfire (1916), Dehere (1993), and City Zip (2000) each swept the Hopeful Stakes, Saratoga Special Stakes, and the Sanford Stakes.

In 2008, the race was sponsored by Three Chimneys Farm of Midway, Kentucky.

Records

Time record: (at current 7 furlong distance)

Most wins by an owner:

Most wins by a jockey:

Most wins by trainer:

Winners

YearWinnerJockeyTrainerOwnerDistanceTime Gr.
2024Chancer McPatrick Flavien Prat Chad C. Brown Flanagan Racing7 f1:23.44G1
2023Nutella Fella Junior Alvarado Gary C. Contessa Bell Gable Stable7 f1:24.41G1
2022 Forte [lower-alpha 1] Irad Ortiz Jr. Todd A. Pletcher Repole Stable & St. Elias Stable7 f1:22.58G1
2021 Gunite Ricardo Santana Jr. Steven M. Asmussen Winchell Thoroughbreds 7 f1:23.08G1
2020 Jackie's Warrior Joel Rosario Steven M. Asmussen J. Kirk & Judy Robison7 f1:21.29G1
2019 Basin José Ortiz Steven M. Asmussen Jackpot Farm (Terry Green)7 f1:23.48G1
2018Mind Control John Velazquez Gregory D. SaccoRed Oak Stable (Steve Brunetti) & Madaket Stables, LLC7 f1:22.99G1
2017Sporting Chance Luis Saez D. Wayne Lukas Robert C. Baker & William L. Mack7 f1:23.71G1
2016 Practical Joke José Ortiz Chad Brown Klaravich Stables & William Lawrence7 f1:23.39G1
2015Ralis Javier Castellano Doug F. O'Neill Reddam Racing 7 f1:22.30G1
2014Competitive Edge John Velazquez Todd A. Pletcher Nancy Favreau, Kathy Psoinos LLC, Michael Tabor 7 f1:24.11G1
2013Strong Mandate José Ortiz D. Wayne Lukas Robert C. Baker & William L. Mack7 f1:23.55G1
2012 Shanghai Bobby Rosie Napravnik Todd A. Pletcher Starlight Racing (Jack & Laurie Wolf)7 f1:22.72G1
2011Currency Swap Rajiv Maragh Terri Pompay Klaravich Stables & William Lawrence7 f1:26.16G1
2010Boys At Tosconova Ramon Domínguez Richard E. Dutrow Jr. Jay Em Ess Stable, et al.7 f1:23.27G1
2009Dublin Jamie Theriot D. Wayne Lukas Robert C. Baker & William L. Mack7 f1:23.52G1
2008 Vineyard Haven Alan Garcia Robert J. Frankel Robert J. Frankel, Louis Lazzinnaro, Diamond Pride LLC 7 f1:23.40G1
2007Majestic Warrior Garrett Gomez William I. Mott Kinsman Stable 7 f1:23.04G1
2006 Circular Quay Garrett Gomez Todd A. Pletcher Michael & Doreen Tabor 7 f1:23.00G1
2005 First Samurai Jerry D. Bailey Frank L. Brothers Bruce Lunsford & Lansdon B. Robbins III7 f1:23.25G1
2004 Afleet Alex Jeremy Rose Tim Ritchey Cash is King LLC7 f1:23.58G1
2003Silver Wagon Jerry D. Bailey Ralph Ziadie Buckram Oak Farm 7 f1:23.47G1
2002Sky Mesa Edgar Prado John T. Ward John C. Oxley 7 f1:23.08G1
2001 Came Home Chris McCarron J. Paco Gonzalez Trudy McCaffery 7 f1:21.94G1
2000Yonaguska (DH) Jerry D. Bailey D. Wayne Lukas Michael Tabor 7 f1:24.52G1
2000 City Zip (DH) José A. Santos Linda L. Rice Charles R. Thompson & Carl T. Bowling7 f1:24.52G1
1999High Yield Jerry D. Bailey D. Wayne Lukas Bob & Beverly Lewis 7 f1:22.85G1
1998Lucky Roberto Robbie Davis Frank A. Alexander Jesse Robinson7 f1:23.81G1
1997 Favorite Trick Pat Day Patrick B. Byrne Joseph LaCombe 7 f1:23.87G1
1996 Smoke Glacken Craig Perret Henry L. Carroll Karkenny Levy et al.7 f1:23.63G1
1995Hennessy Gary Stevens D. Wayne Lukas Bob & Beverly Lewis 7 f1:23.44G1
1994Wild Escapade Jorge F. Chavez Leo O'Brien Dogwood Stable 7 f1:23.24G1
1993 Dehere Chris McCarron Reynaldo Nobles Due Process Stable 6.5 f1:15.80G1
1992Great Navigator Aaron Gryder John F. MazzaRoron Stables (Ron & Rosemary Shockley)6.5 f1:15.71G1
1991Salt Lake Mike E. Smith D. Wayne Lukas William T. Young 6.5 f1:17.74G1
1990Deposit Ticket Gary Stevens D. Wayne Lukas Overbrook Farm 6.5 f1:16.20G1
1989 Summer Squall Pat Day Neil J. Howard Dogwood Stable 6.5 f1:16.80G1
1988 Mercedes Won Robbie Davis Arnold FinkChristopher Spencer6.5 f1:16.60G1
1987Crusader Sword Randy Romero MacKenzie Miller Rokeby Stable 6.5 f1:18.60G1
1986 Gulch Ángel Cordero Jr. LeRoy Jolley Peter M. Brant 6.5 f1:16.40G1
1985Papal Power Don MacBeth Charles Peoples Bayard Sharp 6.5 f1:18.40G1
1984 Chief's Crown Don MacBeth Roger Laurin Star Crown Stable (Andrew Rosen, et al.)6.5 f1:16.00G1
1983Capitol South Jerry D. Bailey Lou Rondinello Darby Dan Farm 6.5 f1:17.40G1
1982Copelan Jerry D. Bailey Mitchell Griffin Fred W. Hooper 6.5 f1:16.60G1
1981 Timely Writer Roger Danjean Dominic Imprescia Peter Martin6.5 f1:16.20G1
1980 Tap Shoes Ruben Hernandez Howard M. Tesher Leone J. Peters 6.5 f1:17.00G1
1979J.P. Brother [lower-alpha 2] Joseph Imparato John P. Campo Diamond Peg Stable (Mrs. John P. Campo)6.5 f1:16.20G1
1978 General Assembly Darrel McHargue LeRoy Jolley Bertram R. Firestone 6.5 f1:16.40G1
1977 Affirmed Steve Cauthen Laz Barrera Harbor View Farm 6.5 f1:15.40G1
1976Banquet Table Jean Cruguet George T. Poole Jr. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney 6.5 f1:16.20G1
1975-1Jackknife Jean Cruguet John P. Campo Elmendorf Farm 6.5 f1:16.60G1
1975-2Eustace James Nichols Wayne RoseEugene Cashman6.5 f1:16.40G1
1974-1The Bagel Prince Ángel Cordero Jr. John Pappalardo Edward Shamie6.5 f1:16.80G1
1974-2 Foolish Pleasure Braulio Baeza LeRoy Jolley John L. Greer 6.5 f1:16.00G1
1973Gusty O'ShayRobert KotenkoHarrison E. JohnsonHelen Hopkins6.5 f1:16.40G1
1972 Secretariat Ron Turcotte Lucien Laurin Meadow Stable 6.5 f1:16.20
1971Rest Your Case Jacinto Vásquez MacKenzie Miller Cragwood Stables 6.5 f1:17.40
1970Proudest Roman John L. Rotz Woody Stephens Mrs. John A. Morris6.5 f1:18.60
1969Irish Castle Braulio Baeza Edward A. Neloy Wheatley Stable 6.5 f1:17.20
1968 Top Knight Manuel Ycaza Raymond Metcalf Steven B. Wilson6.5 f1:16.00
1967 What A Pleasure Braulio Baeza Edward A. Neloy Wheatley Stable 6.5 f1:16.40
1966Bold Hour John L. Rotz Bert Mulholland George D. Widener Jr. 6.5 f1:17.20
1965 Buckpasser Braulio Baeza Edward A. Neloy Ogden Phipps 6.5 f1:16.00
1964 Bold Lad Braulio Baeza Edward A. Neloy Wheatley Stable 6.5 f1:15.60
1963Traffic Manuel Ycaza Lucien Laurin Reginald N. Webster 6.5 f1:18.60
1962Outing Class Donald R. Pierce John M. Gaver Sr. Greentree Stable 6.5 f1:17.00
1961 Jaipur Bill Shoemaker Bert Mulholland George D. Widener Jr. 6.5 f1:16.40
1960 Hail To Reason Bobby Ussery Hirsch Jacobs Patrice Jacobs 6.5 f1:16.00
1959 Tompion Bill Shoemaker Sylvester Veitch C. V. Whitney 6.5 f1:17.40
1958 First Landing Eddie Arcaro Casey Hayes Christopher Chenery 6.5 f1:17.80
1957Rose Trellis Frank Lovato Richard E. Handlen Foxcatcher Farm 6.5 f1:18.40
1956King Hairan Eddie Arcaro Raymond Metcalf Leo Edwards6.5 f1:18.40
1955 Needles John Choquette Hugh L. Fontaine D & H Stable (Jack Dudley & Bonnie Heath)6.5 f1:18.20
1954 Nashua Eddie Arcaro Jim Fitzsimmons Belair Stud 6.5 f1:17.80
1953Artismo Dave Gorman Robert L. Dotter James Cox Brady Jr. 6.5 f1:18.00
1952 Native Dancer Eric Guerin William C. Winfrey Alfred G. Vanderbilt Jr. 6.5 f1:18.80
1951Cousin Eric Guerin William C. Winfrey Alfred G. Vanderbilt Jr. 6.5 f1:19.20
1950 Battlefield Eric Guerin Bert Mulholland George D. Widener Jr. 6.5 f1:18.00
1949 Middleground Dave Gorman Max Hirsch King Ranch 6.5 f1:18.40
1948 Blue Peter Eric Guerin Andy Schuttinger Joseph M. Roebling 6.5 f1:19.20
1947 Relic John H. Adams George P. "Maj" Odom Circle M. Farm (Edward S. Moore)6.5 f1:17.40
1946 Blue Border Abelardo DeLara James W. Smith Edward R. Bradley 6.5 f1:17.00
1945 Star Pilot Arnold Kirkland Tom Smith Maine Chance Farm 6.5 f1:16.60
1944 Pavot George Woolf Oscar White Walter M. Jeffords 6.5 f1:18.80
1943Bee Mac Sterling Young James W. Smith Beatrice MacGuire6.5 f1:18.40
1942Devil's Thumb Conn McCreary Cecil Wilhelm William Edward Boeing 6.5 f1:18.40
1941 Devil Diver Jack Skelly John M. Gaver Sr. Greentree Stable 6.5 f1:18.60
1940 Whirlaway Johnny Longden Ben A. Jones Calumet Farm 6.5 f1:18.00
1939 Bimelech Fred A. Smith William A. Hurley Edward R. Bradley 6.5 f1:18.80
1938 El Chico Nick Wall Matthew Peter Brady William Ziegler Jr. 6.5 f1:18.40
1937Sky Larking Alfred Robertson Robert McGarvey Milky Way Farm Stable 6.5 f1:20.80
1936Maedic Eddie Litzenberger William A. Hurley Maemere Farm (DeWitt Page)6.5 f1:20.20
1935Red Rain Raymond Workman Thomas J. Healey C. V. Whitney 6.5 f1:19.80
1934 Psychic Bid Mack Garner Robert A. Smith Brookmeade Stable 6.5 f1:18.80
1933Bazaar Don Meade Herbert J. Thompson Edward R. Bradley 6.5 f1:19.00
1932 Ladysman Robert Jones Bennett W. Creech William R. Coe 6.5 f1:19.40
1931Tick On Pete Walls Max Hirsch Loma Stable (Marie Kaufman)6.5 f1:20.40
1930Epithet Willie Kelsay Henry McDaniel Gifford A. Cochran 6.5 f1:17.60
1929Boojum Raymond Workman James G. Rowe Jr. Harry Payne Whitney 6.5 f1:17.00
1928Jack High George Ellis A. Jack Joyner George D. Widener Jr. 6.5 f1:19.40
1927Brooms John Maiben Gwyn R. Tompkins Brookmeade Stable 6.5 f1:20.00
1926 Lord Chaucer Frank Coltiletti J. H. "Bud" Stotler Sagamore Farm 6.5 f1:19.80
1925 Pompey Laverne Fator William H. Karrick Shoshone Stable 6.5 f1:17.80
1924 Master Charlie George BabinAndrew G. BlakelyWilliam Daniel6 f1:13.00
1923Diogenes Clyde Ponce Robert A. Smith Walter M. Jeffords 6 f1:12.60
1922Dunlin Clarence Kummer William M. Garth Joshua S. Cosden 6 f1:12.40
1921 Morvich Albert Johnson Fred Burlew Benjamin Block6 f1:12.60
1920Leonardo II Andy Schuttinger Kimball Patterson Xalapa Farm (Edward F. Simms)6 f1:12.40
1919 Man o' War Johnny Loftus Louis Feustel Glen Riddle Farm 6 f1:13.00
1918Eternal Andy Schuttinger Kimball Patterson James W. McClelland 6 f1:13.60
1917 Sun Briar Willie Knapp Henry McDaniel Willis Sharpe Kilmer 6 f1:15.60
1916 Campfire John McTaggart Thomas J. Healey Richard T. Wilson Jr. 6 f1:14.60
1915Dominant Joe Notter James G. Rowe Sr. Lewis S. Thompson 6 f1:13.80
1914 Regret Joe Notter James G. Rowe Sr. Harry Payne Whitney 6 f1:16.40
1913Bringhurst Johnny Loftus J. Oliver Keene Johnson N. Camden Jr. 6 f1:12.40
1912No races held due to the Hart–Agnew Law.
1911
1910NoveltyA. Thomas Sam Hildreth Sam Hildreth 6 f1:14.00
1909Rocky O'Brien Vincent Powers Kimball PattersonJames MacManus6 f1:13.20
1908 Helmet Joe Notter James G. Rowe Sr. James R. Keene 6 f1:12.20
1907 Jim Gaffney David Nicol Frank D. Weir Frank J. Farrell 6 f1:15.00
1906 Peter Pan Willie Knapp James G. Rowe Sr. James R. Keene 6 f1:12.20
1905Mohawk II Arthur Redfern Hubert H. Hyner John Sanford 6 f1:13.40
1904 Tanya Gene Hildebrand John W. Rogers Herman B. Duryea 6 f1:13.20
1903 Delhi Willie Gannon James G. Rowe Sr. James R. Keene 6 f1:13.20

Notes:

  1. Forte was disqualified from his win in the 2022 Hopeful Stakes due to a medication violation. The connections are appealing through the New York State Courts. [2] As of the latest ruling in December 2023, Equibase still lists Forte as the winner. [3]
  2. In 1979, Rockhill Native finished first but was disqualified and placed sixth.

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References

  1. "Hopeful Stakes Profile". www.equibase.com. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  2. "Forte DQ Paused With Temporary Restraining Order". The Blood-Horse. 21 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  3. "2022 Hopeful Stakes (Grade 1 – race 11)". www.equibase.com. September 5, 2022. Retrieved December 4, 2023.