Hopeful Stakes (United States)

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The Hopeful Stakes is a race for thoroughbred horses run at a distance of seven furlongs on the dirt at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. A Grade I event offering a purse of $250,000, the Hopeful is the first Grade I stakes for two-year-olds each season, and is the first influential prep race to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

In its 102nd renewal in 2006, the Hopeful is named for precisely that reason...owners and trainers of two-year-olds are hopeful their young ones will go on to racing glory.

Smoke Glacken won the Hopeful in 1996, Hennessy in 1995, Summer Squall in 1989, Gulch in 1986, Timely Writer in 1981, Affirmed in 1977, Foolish Pleasure in 1974, Secretariat in 1972, Buckpasser in 1965, Tompion in 1960, Needles in 1955, Nashua in 1954, Native Dancer in 1952, Middleground in 1949, Devil Diver in 1941, Whirlaway in 1940, Bimelech in 1939, Zev in 1922, Man O' War in 1919, Sun Briar in 1917, and Regret, a filly, in 1914.

[edit] Past winners

Winners of the Hopeful since the beginning of the new century are:

• 2006 - Circular Quay
• 2005 - First Samurai
• 2004 - Afleet Alex
• 2003 - Silver Wagon
• 2002 - Sky Mesa
• 2001 - Came Home
• 2000 - Yonaguska and City Zip (in a dead heat)

[edit] Going Back

• 1997 - Favorite Trick