What is the Hopeful Stakes?
The Hopeful Stakes is a prestigious Grade 1 horse race held annually at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The race is typically run in early September and covers a distance of seven furlongs on dirt. It's open to two-year-old Thoroughbreds and is known as a key race for young horses showing early promise.
When is the Hopeful Stakes held?
The 2024 Hopeful Stakes is scheduled to take place on September 2nd. This race is one of the final stakes races of the summer meet at Saratoga and often features some of the top two-year-old colts in the country.
Hopeful Stakes Winners
The Hopeful Stakes has a rich history with many notable winners. Past champions include Secretariat (1972), who later became a Triple Crown winner, Affirmed (1977), another Triple Crown champion, and Gulch (1986), who went on to win the Breeders' Cup Sprint. In recent years, horses like Jackie's Warrior (2020) and Forte (2022) have also claimed victory in this prestigious race. The race's legacy is marked by its association with future champions, making it a highlight on the racing calendar.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| 2023 | Nutella Fella | Junior Alvarado | Gary C. Contessa | Bell Gable Stable | 1:24.41 |
| 2022 | Forte | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | Repole Stable & St. Elias Stable | 1:22.58 |
| 2021 | Gunite | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Steven M. Asmussen | Winchell Thoroughbreds | 1:23.08 |
| 2020 | Jackie's Warrior | Joel Rosario | Steven M. Asmussen | J. Kirk & Judy Robison | 1:21.29 |
The Hopeful Stakes has seen numerous successful trainers over the years. Notably, D. Wayne Lukas has trained multiple winners, including Dublin (2009) and Hennessy (1995). Todd Pletcher, another prominent trainer, has also had success with horses like Shanghai Bobby (2012) and Competitive Edge (2014). These trainers are well-known for preparing top-tier two-year-olds for this critical race.
