Hope Stakes (Grade 3)- $100.000 Purse
DMR- For Two Year Olds
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
November 17, 2018
This Saturday at DMR, two year olds will once again have a chance to shine in the spotlight as the 16th running of the Grade 3 Hope Stakes takes place. In theory, this race provides a great opportunity for the race winner to the next step up into taking on stronger competition as they move into their three year old season. While that part has happened, this race has not really catapulted a race winner into widescale success as a three year old. Last year’s winner, Powerful Suit, participated in a couple TC preps, but never would be a part of any TC races. That has pretty much been the story of previous winners. Perhaps part of the reason for that was the presence of the former DED Jackpot, which would normally have been run this weekend, but is now a thing of the past. That would be the big race for two year olds who weren’t quite ready for the BC, but had ton of potential. So, perhaps this is the year where we will be talking about our winner going to have considerable TC success. Seven go to the gate, and they have had varying degrees of success in their careers thus far. Let’s meet our field!
#1- Red Blunt (Gdp Inc, ridden by M E Smith)- It took this one a little while to learn how to win, needing five tries to break his maiden. After that victory, he backed it up with another win, coming at PRX in an allowance. Now, we will get the chance to see if he is a late bloomer, as he looks to make another step forward here. Both of those wins, though, were against PA-breds, and were small fields, so this is his toughest challenge to date. Best to do it when you have a little momentum, in which he has.
#2- This Aint No Disco (YME Stable, ridden by N Arroyo Jr)- This gelding is a perfect two for tow in his career so far, and has been patiently brought along by his trainer. Most recently, we saw him winning an allowance at ELP towards the end of August. Since then, it appears as though he has steadily been improving in longer works, and put forth a good mile time at SA a few weeks ago. He has already proven himself on the race track, so he has earned the opportunity to take on stakes company, and he should be one of the top contenders here.
#3- Pigs R Us (Aer Stables, ridden by G Franco)- Started his career off with two victories, but could not follow that up with a good result in an optional claimer afterwards. That result looks a little flat by going off the race line exclusively, and he will have the addition of bute here for this race in hopes of returning to his winning form. Two weeks ago, he turned in a strong mile work, and that will make him a threat here. He does a $50.000 ungraded stake win to boast about on his resume.
#4- Maestro Authority (Axeman, ridden by A Delgadillo)- This is the only horse in the field that has attempted a graded stake thus far, although his performance in the Grade 1 Pharoah was not one to be excited about. Not to worry, because Maestro Authority has otherwise been very good, and did get a win in the $100.000 McDermott at PID for PA-breds two starts prior to that. He has had some time now to shake off his Pharoah performance, and perhaps he was there on too short of rest to begin with. Expect a return to good form here.
#5- Di Bug (Night Rider Stables, ridden by K J Desormeaux)- The trainer did an incredible job picking this one up in a $25.000 claimer. His win in that claiming race was his second in three starts, and Night Rider has bigger aspirations, starting with $100.000 Aspirant for NY-breds. He won that race, and then after that he just narrowly missed winning the $250.000 Sleepy Hollow for NY-breds, placing 2nd in a photo, ironically with a horse from the trainer he claimed Di Bug from in the first place. He is showing great progress, is fine with this distance, and therefore should be the one to beat.
#6- Final Verse (Mb Stables, ridden by T C Baze)- In three starts, this gelding by Charming Charley has been charming his trainer as well, with two victories. They came in his first two runs, although were not at the highest levels, coming at TUP and LAD. Still, he stepped up very well in his stake debut, taking a second place finish in the NY Breeders Futurity, a $200.000 stake at FL. Worked very well here earlier in the week, and looks like he will particularly enjoy the seventh furlong of this race.
#7- Magical Madness (Fractious, ridden by H Figueroa)- The resume might not be there in comparison to others for Magical Madness, but you have to like the way that he came from behind to break his maiden in his last start, which was at GG. He worked very well going into that race, and he is a much improved horse over the one that ran seven in his debut. He may be a little more of a wild card in this field, but should not be ruled out as he may be continuing to improve. That will need to be the case, though, for as good as the maiden win was, a similar effort would not get it done here. Must show some improvement, but certainly can.
— NS
Prediction: 5-6-2-4
Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES
