Saratoga: Grade 1 Hopeful headlines Closing Day

By Rick Francis —-

Race 9), 7 Furlongs. Hopeful-G1 Hopeful S. Grade I. Purse $350,000 FOR TWO YEAR OLDS.

Post Time: ( 5:05)/ 4:05/ 3:05/ 2:05
ADVANCED FORECAST: Increasing Clouds, High 80 Low 62

Mojovation (1), Pletcher/Velazquez; Quality Road colt went gate-to-wire in his debut at the end of July and has had continuous and solid works since; Pletcher with Johnny V are 33 percent for the meet.

Oskar Blues (2), McPeek/Davis; Speightstown colt was all-game winning his debut here at the distance, dueling throughout the stretch; effort might cost him here.

Firenze Fire (3), Servis/Ortiz, I; Poseidon’s Warrior colt has won his first two, highlighted by his determined win in the Grade 3 Sanford; trainer Servis with Irad Ortiz are having a strong meet winning 39 percent of their mounts together.

Pyschoanalyze (4), Lynch/Franco; stayed close in the Sanford but was outkicked and finished third; others appear stronger for the top spot.

National Flag (5), Pletcher/Ortiz, J; this Speightstown colt exits his maiden score which came under the guidance of Johnny V, who now opts for the rail colt; nevertheless, Jose Ortiz has had a memorable meet winning almost 20 percent of his mounts.

Sporting Chance (6), Lukas/Saez; Tiznow colt is always forwardly placed and finished up strongly last out in maiden win; bullet work in prep for this.

Givemeaminit (7), Stewart/Rosario; La-bred showed good energy running behing ‘Chance last out, and though trainer Dallas Stewart hasn’t started many, he’s been in the money with close to half of his starters and seems to find a spot on the board in these type of contests.

Free Drop Billy (8), Romans/Albarado; stayed on gamely to finish second in the Sanford and exits a bullet work in prep; trainer is half in the money with his starters.

Selections: 3, 1, 5, 8