The Hopeful (Grade 1)- $350.000 Purse
SAR- For Two Year Olds
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
September 7, 2015

The Saratoga meet may have just concluded, but for the field in today’s Hopeful, they are just getting started. There was plenty of talent in this race, so while some contenders might not have had the race they were looking for today, great things could be on the horizon for all of them. For the winner, Grandeur, that time is now.   Last week in the Funny Cide, a two year old named Palestinian was very impressive in winning that $200.000 statebred here at the spa.   In four races, only one horse has been faster then Palestinian, and that was Grandeur when they met in an allowance. Today, Grandeur would again one-up what Palestinian accomplished and captured the Grade 1 Hopeful.  The colt is now three for four in his own career, as he just missed in the Sanford (G3) at the beginning of the meet.   We can expect that Mb Stables has a full arsenal of two year old contenders in his stable, but Grandeur just may be at the top of the list. The trainer remained modest about Grandeur, knowing full well how things can change in this sport, but did tell us after the race that, “I think as of right now Grandeur is my top contender but that can all change quickly.”

Mb Stables also won the stake for the second year in a row, although he has a long way to go if he wants to duplicate Unreal Racing’s run a while ago. Jockey J R Leparoux wins it for the trainer also for the second time in a row, but has also won the stake three of the last four years. Congratulations to the winners! This was a truly fantastic race, if you haven’t actually watched it, take a look.  Let’s take a look now at how the race was won.

1st- 3- Grandeur (3/5)- Our eventual winner from Mb Stables started in the middle of the pack, running three lengths off the lead as the quarter fractions were set.   J R Leparoux kept him in a stalking position of End Of Clay and Who Stole My Sock for the backstretch trip but would move him three wide for the turn with the intention of moving him into second at this time. This was not an easy pass, but at the top of the stretch he was running stride for stride with Who Stole My Sock and looked as though the two of them were going to catch B N D Fusion together. In the last furlong, Grandeur was at his best, pulling level with the pacesetter, and completing the pass with ½ a furlong to go. This was done while about four wide, too boot. From there, this promising two year old had nothing by daylight between him and the fire, and with those hoofsteps behind him giving it their best shot, Grandeur was strong to the wire. The winning time was 1:21.99, the second quickest Hopeful time in its history. It was indeed a very impressive race from a horse with a very bright future. Grandeur is a two year old colt by Chai Latte and out of Lucky Baby (by Lucky Billy). He was bred in New York by Mb Stables, and is the only trainer in which he has ever known.   Congratulations to all of the connections!

2nd- 5- Atomic Titty Twister (10/1)- I Ortiz Jr stayed well behind the leader early, content to be six lengths or so off the lead for Blushing Meadows in the early stages.   This is where he remained for the backstretch trip and for the majority of the turn. Only on exit of the turn did he start to make up measurable ground. At the top of the stretch, there became some space for him to fit in between End Of Clay and Who Stole My Stock, and he would take the lane, but neither of those two were rolling over for him.   In the final half furlong, Atomic Titty Twister cleared those two rivals, but Grandeur had got away, and the wire came up too soon. It’s a strong second for this Rene colt with the difficult name to type, and Blushing Meadows should be very optimistic on what he will do in the future.

3rd- 1- End of Clay (15/1)- The surprising longshot from Sanny Village was good early and was content to sit about two lengths from the lead in the races early stages. He maintained a steady stride in the turn, and began to inch closer to the leaders, but those behind him were also looking to make a bid in the stretch.   Hearing those hoofsteps, End Of Clay dug down deep and held all but two of them off, while getting the pace setters. He was only a length off the lead at the end and will be a name we see mentioned in the SRF for quite some time. However, you probably will not see these crazy odds on him again, he should have been one of the favorites.

4th- 4- Snowmizer (4/1)- The Sarah Stables entry was not interested in running with the leaders, and saved considerable ground in the backstretch being last early and about eight lengths off the lead. He would stalk Atomic Titty Twister for the trip around the turn, and looked to make his move at the top of the stretch. Ran well at the top of the stretch, but it was in the last furlong where Snowmizer was at his best. He would find some room to the outside of Who Stole My Sock and advance his position. It may just be that this distance was too short for him, and I can see him being a bigger factor in longer races.

5th- 6- Who Stole My Sock (20/1)- Quick out of the gate and initially alongside B N D Fusion early for Jkk Racing Stables, but then opted to sit a couple lengths off the early speed. Maintained his position for the run around the turn, and for a little while looked as though he was going to put a move on the leader. With Grandeur to his outside in the stretch, Who Stole My Sock refused to concede the position and ran with him until the last half furlong. Performed better today then his ending 5th place finish will indicate and should have a bright future.

6th- 7- B N D Fusion (4/1)- Fired out of the gate by J L Ortiz for Drabfantasy, allowing himself just a furlong into it to cross all the way over and get position along the rail. He would set the opening fraction in :23.02. Kept pouring it on during the opening turn, setting the half in :46.00.  Continued to run well in the stretch, and held the lead into the last furlong of the race. Despite falling from first to last in the last furlong, B N D Fusion remained competitive and still made a good impression.

Track: Fast
Time: :23   :46   1:09³  1:21⁴

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 3 – 5 Paid 12.20
$1 Trifecta: 3 – 5 – 1 Paid 192.90

Scratched: Creepy Englishman

Winner picked by NS

— NS

Categories: Grade I