Hope Stakes (Grade 3)- $100.00 Purse
DMR- For Two Year Olds
Seven Furlongs on the Dirt
November 15, 2026

Looking ahead to Sunday, DMR’s action will include the running of the Grade 3 Hope Stakes, which is for two year olds, and sends them seven furlongs on the main track. It’s certainly a great opportunity for horses who may not have quite been able to find their way into the BC Juvenile to still prove they may have what it takes in November. That’s something that happened back in 2020 when a then little-known horse named Howl Of The Hound got the win in his third career start. It was, of course, part of his career-opening eight-race winning streak. More recently, last year’s race was won by Raining Prince for Nakamura Stables. While very few will stack up to Howl Of The Hound, he’s continued to have a respectable career. We’ll have a field of eight that will be taking part this year, and here is a look at them!

1- Propane (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by K Kimura)- Broke his maiden in his third career start, coming at PRX in September by half a length. That encouraged the trainer to move him directly into the $125.00 Display Stakes at WO, but he did not put on much of a display, running behind the entire field, losing by seven lengths, overall. His entry here suggests that the trainer isn’t the slightest bit concerned about that, but as an outsider, I am.

2- Time And Tide (Nakamura Stables, ridden by V Espinoza)- Time And Tide is similar to Propane in that he needs to rebound after a tough race. But, that’s about where those similarities end, as he was two for three coming into it, winning the $150.00 Overnight Stakes before the trainer wanted to see what he could do on the grass in the $750.00 KD Juvenile. The answer was “not much”, and he should be back at home in this type of race.

3- Poor Hairdo (The Sidley Stud, ridden by W T Buick)- Poor Hairdo also won two of his first three career races, including the $100.00 Dixon Memorial Stakes at PID. That sent him to the turf, and he wasn’t out of place in a third place run in the Grade 3 Futurity, but his bad haircut certainly showed up in the BC Juvenile Turf Sprint. That was his third race in a row with quick turnarounds, something that I often as see as the trouble spot (not the second race) on short rest. It’s only been two weeks again, making this his fourth start since September 18.

4- Sexy Snoop (Serenity Stables, ridden by J Laprida)- There’s no denying that this one has had his chances, but in the big picture, he has not done much since his debut race. He won that, and soon after was running in stakes. Problem is, after the ALB optional claimer, he has not earned a penny. Taking notice but still believing in Sexy Snoop, Serenity Stables gelded the horse and hopes that will turn him around. We have seen that play out successfully many times, so perhaps Sexy Snoop can follow that lead.

5- Kempito (Mojica Racing, ridden by E Jaramillo)- Still riding high after his big BC win two weeks ago, Mojica Racing is hoping Kempito can have a similar run to success. The horse was a $7.00 claim in June, and like we just said about Sexy Snoop, sometimes a geld can make a big difference. Kempito responded in a big way, eventually breaking his maiden then following that up with a big allowance win at BEL. Works are strong, and now we’ll see what kind of an impression he can make here.

6- Baker St (Barcelona Farms, ridden by M E Smith)- Struggled in his debut race in May, and would eventually have his breakthrough in his third career start, coming here against CA-breds in August. The trainer liked what he saw there, and hoped for a strong effort in the Grade 1 Breeders Futurity at KEE. However, Baker St was way back at the start, and while he gained ground to the frontrunners by the end, he only actually passed three rivals. This is a good spot for him to fall into from that, and he should be in the mix here.

7- Georgie One Hundred (The Sidley Stud, ridden by U Rispoli)- Not only is he the stablemate of Poor Hairdo, they are both out of the same mare, New Hairdo. Georgie’s hairdo is not poor, and will get 100-percent approval. He’s also off to a great start to his career, winning his first three starts, a stretch that includes a $30.00 stake at TUP. After those wins, he made his way to SAR, added a shadow roll, and ran in the Grade 3 Sanford but he was not a factor in the race. With some time to rest, he’ll look to show that the Sanford was the fluke, and he’s working well coming into this.

8- Unleash Helll (TwinTowersRacing, ridden by J J Hernandez)- In five career starts, Unleash Helll has picked up one win, coming at PRX in May. Otherwise, while I would not call the races poor, they are certainly do not stand out and make him look like a contender here. This is his first stake appearance, and comes on the heels of running seventh on nine in September, also at seven furlongs. He’s had some great works of late, so could be about to break out here, but he’ll also have to show he’s not just a morning wonder. If this doesn’t go well, I wonder if a snip will be considered.

Prediction: 7-2-5-6

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES