Closing-day highlight at Saratoga

The traditional closing-day highlight at Saratoga takes place this Monday with nine promising 2-year-olds set to compete in the Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful Stakes.

Ferocious, listed as the 8-5 morning-line favourite, comes into the race off an impressive maiden victory on August 3 at Saratoga. Among his key challengers are Chancer McPatrick, trained by Chad Brown, at 5-2, and Todd Pletcher’s Mentee at 5-1.

The Hopeful Stakes is the 10th race on a 12-race card, with post time scheduled for 5:43 p.m. EDT. Fans can catch the action live on FS2.

For those looking for in-depth analysis, Horse Racing Nation offers free past performances (PPs) for the Hopeful and other races, courtesy of Brisnet. Additionally, Super Screener picks and analysis, as well as recent top-speed figures for each contender, are available.

In this seven-furlong race, Mentee is expected to set the early pace, likely joined by Tough Catch. However, setting the pace could come at a cost. Ferocious is projected to track just behind the leaders, while Chancer McPatrick will aim to close from further back. Mr. Mendelslew, a first-time starter, lacks pace data, making him a wild card in the race.

The Pace Projector, provided by TimeformUS, offers insights into how the race might unfold.

For those looking for a more detailed analysis, the Saratoga through Breeders’ Cup Super Screener package is available for $97, a savings of nearly $400. This package includes an in-depth analysis of the Hopeful Stakes and more.

Ed DeRosa's Hopeful fair odds suggest that Tough Catch, despite being a long shot, could pose a significant threat to the favourite, Ferocious, potentially more so than Chancer McPatrick.

As we prepare to bid farewell to Saratoga for the 2024 season, the New York Racing Association is already planning for next summer. According to the Daily Racing Form, the 2025 meet could start earlier, potentially on July 3 or 4.

Looking ahead, Brian Zipse believes that Dragoon Guard has the potential to overtake Fierceness in the 3-year-old male division by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Ron Flatter’s latest column celebrates the Labour Day racing weekend at Saratoga, Del Mar, and Kentucky Downs.