The $100.000 Hope Stakes (Grade III) headlines the Del Mar card on November 16, 2025, presenting a seven-furlong test on the main dirt track exclusively for two-year-olds. As a Grade III event, this prestigious race carries weight penalties for recent graded stakes winners, with all runners assigned 120 pounds unless they’ve captured graded stakes since mid-August. The Hope Stakes serves as an important stepping stone for juveniles looking to establish themselves among the division’s elite as the season winds down. With a field of twelve talented sophomores assembled, this edition promises to showcase some of the top young talent on the West Coast and beyond, each seeking to add a graded stakes victory to their developing resumes.

Horse-by-Horse Analysis

Soho Danze represents Ashwood Farms with Francisco Alvarado (6/1 odds) in the irons. This bay colt by Soho Jackman has won twice from five starts while earning $97.370, posting his best speed figure of 94. His most recent outing on October 18 at Gulfstream Park saw him finish second by 2 3/4 lengths in the $200.000 Florida Stallion Stakes after racing mid-pack throughout. Prior to that on September 14 at Monmouth Park, he broke his maiden by a nose in a 170-yard allowance race after a long layoff, showing determination to get up in the final strides. His best effort came on August 8 at Monmouth when he finished third in an allowance race at six furlongs, beaten 3 1/4 lengths after pressing the pace. He also won his career debut on April 30 at Parx Racing, scoring by 1 1/4 lengths in a maiden special weight sprint. While he’s shown consistent ability and improved with each start, the step up to graded stakes competition represents a significant challenge for this developing juvenile.

Dirt Eating Boy ships in for The Sidley Stud with Mike Smith (8/1 odds) guiding this gray colt by Lucky Brandy. With two wins from just three career starts and earnings of $62.180, he enters as a lightly raced prospect with considerable upside. His most recent effort on October 11 at Charles Town saw him dominate the $75.000 West Virginia Breeders Classic by a nose at 6 1/2 furlongs, controlling the pace from start to finish in a statebred stakes. Before that on September 13, he broke his maiden at Charles Town by 1 3/4 lengths after dueling on the lead throughout. His debut came on August 16 at Fair Play, where he finished third after pressing the early pace. His recent workouts show ambitious preparation, including a strong mile workout at Aqueduct in 1:37.3 on November 10. While his limited experience and regional competition raise questions about his readiness for this graded company, his perfect record at Charles Town and tactical speed make him an intriguing wild card.

Yonis On The Run represents Spb Racing with Victor Espinoza (12/1 odds) aboard this bay gelding by Came Home. With two wins from six starts and earnings of $30.440, he enters off a fourth-place finish on October 19 at Santa Anita in an optional claiming race at 5 1/2 furlongs, beaten four lengths after showing early speed. Prior to that on September 24 at Pimlico, he broke his maiden by a head in an allowance race at 4 1/2 furlongs after setting the pace throughout. He was gelded in late August, which may have contributed to his improvement. Earlier in his campaign on August 24 at Saratoga, he finished fourth in the $150.000 Fun Cider Stakes after being claimed for $15.000, showing he could compete at a higher level. His best speed figure of 96 suggests he has the ability to factor, though his inconsistent form and lack of experience at today’s distance present obstacles in this graded stakes company.

Sabbath represents Mb Stables with Flavien Prat (7/2 odds) riding this bay gelding by Smiling Luka. With two wins from five starts and earnings of $89.040, he enters off a disappointing eighth-place finish in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at Aqueduct on October 4, where he faded badly after racing in mid-pack. However, his previous start on September 6 at Monmouth Park showcased his talent when he captured the $100.000 Smoke Glacken Stakes by a head in the mud, demonstrating his ability to handle off tracks. Before that on August 9, he finished sixth in the Grade 3 Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar, showing he could compete against graded company. He was sold in late July for $85.000 after breaking his maiden at Woodbine on June 27, where he finished third in an allowance race. His troubled Champagne effort can likely be excused, and if he returns to his Monmouth form, he could be a serious factor with the switch back to a sprint distance where he’s won twice.

Hawks Impaired brings limited credentials for Pablo Racing Inc with William Buick (20/1 odds) in the saddle. This gray gelding by Black Hawk has won twice from five starts but shows remarkably low earnings of $0.00, suggesting his victories came at tracks with different purse reporting. His most recent outing on October 22 at Parx Racing saw him finish a distant seventh in an optional claiming race, beaten 10 7/8 lengths after breaking slowly. Prior to that on September 6 at Monmouth, he finished sixth in the Smoke Glacken Stakes, showing he was overmatched in stakes company. His best efforts came earlier in his career at Mountaineer Park, where he won an allowance race on June 2 by 1 3/4 lengths and broke his maiden on May 4 by three lengths. He was gelded in early February and sold in April for just $1.990, indicating limited expectations. His speed figures and recent form suggest he’ll struggle significantly against this caliber of competition.

Raining Prince represents Nakamura Stables with Juan Hernandez (5/2 odds) guiding this gray gelding by Prince Cherokee. With three wins from five starts and impressive earnings of $157.200, he’s compiled the strongest resume in this field. His most recent effort on September 13 at Churchill Downs saw him finish fifth in the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes at one mile, his first try around two turns, where he set the pace but faded in the stretch after being overtaken. Prior to that on August 10 at Elko, he captured the $200.000 ELP Juvenile Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths at seven furlongs after stalking the pace, demonstrating his effectiveness at today’s distance. Before that on June 29 at Monmouth, he won an allowance race by two lengths at 5 1/2 furlongs after dueling on the lead. He broke his maiden on May 25 at Louisiana Downs by three lengths, and earlier finished a distant ninth on April 18 at Santa Anita in his debut before being gelded. His tactical speed, proven ability at seven furlongs, and sharp recent workouts make him the horse to beat in this spot.

Bumpin ships in for Lagastable with Jose Valdivia Jr. (30/1 odds) aboard this black colt by Face Your Fears. Winless from five career starts with earnings of $0.00, he enters off a narrow second-place finish on October 19 at Mountaineer on turf, beaten a neck after setting the pace. His previous efforts include a tenth-place finish on turf at Mountaineer on August 27 and a third-place finish at Penn National on July 31 in a maiden sprint. His limited success and preference for turf racing raise serious questions about his ability to compete on dirt against graded stakes competition. With no wins to his credit and questionable surface versatility, he appears significantly overmatched in this spot.

Single Barrel represents Angelos Stable with Edwin Maldonado (9/2 odds) riding this bay colt by Soho Jackman. With two wins from seven starts and earnings of $110.600, he enters off a distant ninth-place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland on October 4, where he set the pace but collapsed badly in the stretch at 1 1/16 miles. Prior to that on September 6 at Gulfstream Park, he finished third in the $100.000 Florida Stallion Affirmed Stakes after racing far back early. His best 2025 performance came on August 10 at Elko when he finished second by 1 1/2 lengths in the ELP Juvenile Stakes at seven furlongs, showing he can compete at today’s distance. Earlier on July 18, he finished fifth in the $75.000 Hoover Stakes at Beulah Park after racing in traffic. He broke his maiden on June 24 at Parx Racing by 1 3/4 lengths and also won his debut on May 6. His strong recent workouts suggest he’s training well, and the cutback to seven furlongs should benefit this colt who appeared to struggle with the Breeders’ Futurity distance.

Sunny Cide represents John Henry with Umberto Rispoli (10/1 odds) guiding this black gelding by Mr Pancake. With one win from five starts and earnings of $41.560, he enters off a fourth-place finish on October 12 at Woodbine in the $125.000 Display Stakes at seven furlongs, beaten eight lengths after racing wide throughout. Prior to that on September 10 at Parx Racing, he finished third in an allowance race in the mud after racing in mid-pack. His lone victory came on July 27 at Monmouth Park when he broke his maiden by 1 1/2 lengths after rallying from far back. He was gelded in late December 2024 and auctioned for just $7.780, indicating modest expectations. His inconsistent form and lack of tactical speed suggest he’ll need a perfect setup to factor against this quality field.

Wind Beneath Wings brings limited but impressive credentials for Fractious with Joel Rosario (4/1 odds) in the irons. This chestnut colt by Shadow Speed is undefeated from one career start, having won his debut on October 9 at Aqueduct by a neck at six furlongs after setting the pace throughout. That maiden special weight victory earned him $34.010 and a respectable 93 speed figure, suggesting he has talent. However, his complete lack of experience beyond one race raises significant questions about his readiness for graded stakes competition. His recent workouts have been solid, including a half-mile breeze in 58.3 seconds at Del Mar on November 8. While first-time starters occasionally upset in graded stakes, his inexperience makes him a risky proposition despite his perfect record.

Haggis Smoothie represents The Sidley Stud with John Velazquez (3/1 odds) riding this bay colt by Ginger Haggis. With three wins from five starts and earnings of $184.600, he brings strong credentials to this spot. His most recent effort on October 13 at Finger Lakes saw him dominate the $200.000 New York Bred Futurity by one length on a wet track, controlling the pace from gate to wire. Prior to that on September 22, he finished third in the $100.000 Aspirante Stakes at Finger Lakes after racing close to the pace. His best performance came on August 24 at Saratoga when he finished second by a head in the $150.000 Fun Cider Stakes, showing he could compete against open company. He also won an allowance race at Louisiana Downs on June 21 by a head and broke his maiden at Fonner Park on April 25 by a neck. His tactical speed and consistent form make him a legitimate threat, though his competition level has primarily been statebred races which may not fully prepare him for this open graded stakes.

Ranger Jim completes the field for Williams9 with Antonio Fresu (15/1 odds) guiding this gray gelding by Reaper Ranger. With one win from five starts and earnings of $78.360, he enters off a third-place finish in the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs on September 13, beaten three lengths after racing mid-pack throughout the one-mile event. Prior to that on August 2 at Del Mar, he broke his maiden by a head at one mile in a claiming race after stalking the pace, showing he can handle route distances. He was sold in early September for $35.000 after that maiden victory. Earlier efforts include a second-place finish at Churchill Downs on June 21 and a third on May 15, both in maiden sprints. His best speed figure of 91 came in the Iroquois, suggesting he’s still developing. While he showed promise in his recent stakes effort, the cutback to seven furlongs may not favor his running style, and his limited sprint experience raises questions about his effectiveness at today’s distance.

Pace Scenario and Prediction

The pace structure should develop with Raining Prince and Haggis Smoothie likely battling for the early lead, with Single Barrel and Wind Beneath Wings also showing early speed and potentially pressing from just behind. Dirt Eating Boy has demonstrated gate speed in his Charles Town victories and may also factor into the early pace discussion. The middle portion of the race should see Sabbath and Soho Danze tracking in ideal stalking positions, while Sunny Cide and Ranger Jim will need to come from farther back. Yonis On The Run will likely press the pace but may lack the class to sustain his bid, while Hawks Impaired and Bumpin appear significantly overmatched.

The projected winner is Raining Prince, who brings the best combination of proven class, tactical speed, and effectiveness at today’s seven-furlong distance. His victory in the ELP Juvenile Stakes at this exact trip demonstrates his ability to rate off the pace and finish strongly, and his Iroquois effort can be excused as simply too much distance for this speedball. With Hernandez able to position him perfectly behind the expected hot pace, Raining Prince should have every opportunity to secure his fourth career victory and first graded stakes triumph. Haggis Smoothie appears the most dangerous threat with his consistent form and proven ability to control the pace, though his statebred competition leaves questions about whether he can handle this open company. Single Barrel could rebound significantly with the cutback to seven furlongs and his strong workouts suggest he’s ready to bounce back from the Breeders’ Futurity disaster. Sabbath and Wind Beneath Wings round out the top five, with the former offering value if he returns to his Monmouth form and the latter providing intrigue as a lightly raced wild card with upside.

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES