The 2026 Spendthrift Farm Hopeful Stakes will be run Sunday, September 6 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. The Grade I race is contested at 7 furlongs on dirt for 2-year-olds with a $300,000 purse.
| Date | Sunday, September 6, 2026 |
| Track | Saratoga Race Course |
| Race | TBA |
| Distance | 7 furlongs |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Grade | Grade I |
| Purse | $300,000 |
| Age | 2-year-olds |
| Post Time | 4:45 PM ET |
Entry Update: The horses currently listed for the 2026 Hopeful Stakes are nominated runners and do not represent the final field. This page will be updated with confirmed entries, post positions, jockeys and official odds once NYRA publishes the final race card.
| # | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Admiral's Order | TBA | Ben Colebrook | TBA |
| 2 | Booked | TBA | Steven M. Asmussen | TBA |
| 3 | Caribbean Life | TBA | William Walden | TBA |
| 4 | Constant Force | TBA | Juan Carlos Avila | TBA |
| 5 | Flight Command | TBA | Rudy R. Rodriguez | TBA |
| 6 | Fullcup | TBA | Riley Mott | TBA |
| 7 | Gaudreau | TBA | Chad C. Brown | TBA |
| 8 | High Official | TBA | Todd A. Pletcher | TBA |
| 9 | Johnny Hockey | TBA | Antonio Arriaga | TBA |
| 10 | Lifesong | TBA | William Walden | TBA |
| 11 | Midnight Still | TBA | Kinnon LaRose | TBA |
| 12 | Mystrix | TBA | Danny Gargan | TBA |
| 13 | Pinpoint | TBA | Todd A. Pletcher | TBA |
| 14 | Tatters | TBA | Michael R. Matz | TBA |
| 15 | The Good Life | TBA | Brad H. Cox | TBA |
| 16 | Twinkle Town | TBA | Kenneth G. McPeek | TBA |
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The Hopeful Stakes is one of the premier Grade I races for 2-year-olds in the United States. Contested at 7 furlongs on dirt at Saratoga Race Course, the race regularly attracts promising juveniles preparing for major championship races later in the season.
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The Hopeful Stakes is one of Saratoga's historic races for 2-year-olds and has been contested for more than a century. The Grade I event has produced numerous champions and major stakes winners throughout its history.
Recent winners include Jackie's Warrior in 2020, Gunite in 2021, Forte in 2022, Nutella Fella in 2023, Chancer McPatrick in 2024 and Ted Noffey in 2025.
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Ted Noffey | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | 1:22.35 |
| 2024 | Chancer McPatrick | Flavien Prat | Chad C. Brown | 1:23.44 |
| 2023 | Nutella Fella | Junior Alvarado | Gary Contessa | 1:24.41 |
| 2022 | Forte | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | 1:22.58 |
| 2021 | Gunite | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Steven M. Asmussen | 1:23.08 |
| 2020 | Jackie's Warrior | Joel Rosario | Steven M. Asmussen | 1:21.29 |
The 2026 Spendthrift Farm Hopeful Stakes is scheduled for Sunday, September 6 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York, with an estimated post time of 4:45 PM ET.
The Hopeful Stakes is contested at 7 furlongs on dirt at Saratoga Race Course.
The 2026 Hopeful Stakes carries a $300,000 purse.
The Hopeful Stakes is restricted to 2-year-old Thoroughbreds.
The leading contenders for the 2026 Hopeful Stakes can be found in the latest odds table above. Prices may change as race day approaches, so check the current odds before placing a wager.
The latest 2026 Hopeful Stakes odds are listed in the odds table above and will be updated as race-day prices change.
The Hopeful Stakes is a Grade I Thoroughbred dirt race held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. It is contested at 7 furlongs for 2-year-olds.
The Hopeful Stakes is held at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York.
You can bet the Hopeful Stakes online at BUSR. Create an account, fund your account, select Saratoga Race Course, choose the Hopeful Stakes, and place your wager. BUSR also offers a 10% horse betting rebate paid daily on selected wagers.
Ted Noffey won the 2025 Hopeful Stakes under jockey John R. Velazquez for trainer Todd A. Pletcher.
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