The Hopeful – Grade I (P1)
7 Furlongs Dirt Stake Purse $250.000 Open 2 Year Olds.

1st Locamotive Aer Stables Ryan S

In a field that looked so even i was amazed that the fastest worker and runner up in the Best Pal last time started at odds of 26/1. Some of those odds may have been because of the 8 gate but this son of Manhunt bred by Two Hearts One Love shrugged off the handicap of a wide draw with ease. Getting a solid position early on he was way too strong at the end winning by three quarters of a length and stamping his name on the BC runners list in the process.

2nd Jinxed Authority Smokey Stover Bejarano R

Stalked the lead from the perfect draw to do it from and i fully expected the SAR Special winner to win it from there. In the end though he was out finished by the winner ending up a strong second. It will be back to the drawing board now for the trainer as they work out a way to turn the table come November.

3rd Time It Vb Estero Farms Saez G

Took it up just after halfway and made a strong bid for the win before being run down in the final furlong. Bred by Sherfirm Stables proving that you don’t have to be a top breeder to breed a good one he ran a blinder on only his third lifetime start.

4th Tko Fractious Desormeaux K J

Beat Locamotive in the Best Pal from a wide draw but got beaten by that horse today from a wide draw. Once again doing all his best work at the end he looks a natural for a mile plus and if he just gets a bit of luck from the draw monster he will be a big danger in the BC.

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES