The Hopeful (Grade 1)- $300.00 Purse
SAR- For Two Year Olds
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
September 6, 2026

Another edition of the Hopeful is in the books, and it will be exciting to watch where all of these horses end up and how many greats emerge from this field. One that will certainly get a lot of attention is Umoja, who came from way back in the field to score the victory for London Racing! While the gelding was not our top choice, he was among our picks for this race. It’s the first win in the Hopeful for London Racing, and the fifth career graded win for the trainer. Also being a first time Hopeful winner is the jockey, F Prat. Congratulations to them! The time of the win was 1:21.73, which is among the better winning times for the race.

(1/4 Mile- :22.78)- The Pilchard Freak, trained by The Sidley Stud, breaks the quickest out of the gate, but will soon find himself joined at the front end by Boomer, who’s out of Serenity Stables. At the opening quarter, it’ll be Boomer with a neck in front here. It’s a length to Dragon Slayer, who runs on the outside for Winning Link Stables, and another to Salt Of The Earth and Luminary, respectively trained by YME Stable and Mb Stables. John Henry’s Columbo and massive Williams9-trained longshot Exterminate are next in the middle of the field, and they have the D J C Racing Stables- trained Litmus Test within a half length. Huldrekall (Delta Farms) is next in the running order, and he’ll remain on the rail. Behind that pack of horses, Luka Mafia (Night Rider Stables) patiently rides out this portion of the race. It’s another length to our eventual winner from London Racing, Umoja, who’s five and a half off the lead and ahead of only Bronze Wolf (TwinTowersRacing).

(½ Mile- :46.03, Top Of Stretch, 1.8F To Go)- Boomer is certainly not racing like one, handling the turn in a comfortable manner and emerging at the top of the stretch with about a two length lead over The Pilchard Freak, the horse who had been right beside him entering the turn. It’s looking good for Serenity Stables here, but there is still more work to do. Dragon Slayer is still third, but has not made a push as of yet. However, Litmus Test does as he first passes the fading Salt Of The Earth before coming on through Luminary and Columbo. Huldrekall looks for some room to run, and the couple people who bet on Exterminate begin to see their big win hopes disappear. Luka Mafia is looking for a lane, but L Saez may not have an easy time maneuvering traffic with the way things are set up. F Prat will not have that problem with Umoja, as he moves him to the far outside on exit of the turn, and he’ll be five wide while having six lengths to make up, setting up a challenging task for the stretch. Bronze Wolf seems too far out of it at this point, but you never know.

(Finish- 1:21.73)- Boomer looks to hang on in the stretch, but in the final furlong, challengers are clearly coming. Litmus Test is first one to grab your attention as he makes his move, but on the far outside, the powerful stride of Umoja grabs the spotlight. He’s coming on with authority, getting up to third quickly before it’s apparent that Litmus Test will not be able to put up a fight with him, either. Now, can the wire come up in time for Boomer? Not today, as Umoja only looks better and better with every stride and will go on to win by half a length. With that leg kick, he’s only going to look better as he stretches out his distance over the next couple months, including a probable start in the BC Juvenile. Boomer hangs on for second in a photo with Litmus Test, and from them, it’s essentially two lengths to the fourth place Huldrekall, who looks more like the best of the rest here. Rounding out are running order will be Luminary, Bronze Wolf, Luka Mafia, The Pilchard Freak, Dragon Slayer, Columbo, Exterminate, and Salt Of The Earth.

About The Winner- Umoja, trained by London Racing, and ridden to victory by F Prat, is a two year old gelding by Miles Per Gallon and is out of Queen Betsy. She was bred in New Jersey as a yearling by her trainer, and they have been together throughout. Congratulations to the connections! The win is her third in four starts, and first stake win of any type! Her career earnings are now $272.00.

– NS

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES