2017 Hopeful Stakes Preview, Entries & Odds

OffTrackBetting.com - The G1 Hopeful Stakes is on tap for this Monday, September 4 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Horses two years old will be after the winner's share of the $350,000 purse when they take to Saratoga's dirt track and race seven furlongs.

A field of eight will take to the track in the Hopeful Stakes - race 9 on Saratoga's Labor Day Monday card. Post time is 5:05 PM. Let's take a look into the past performances of all eight entries for this intriguing, often career-launching G1 stakes.

2017 Hopeful Stakes Entries at Saratoga Race Course

Mojovation 2-1

Highly regarded colt has just one career start for trainer Todd Pletcher and it was a good one - a two length maiden score on this track July 29. He steps into stakes company for the first time having looked good in his only start so far and will leave from the rail with John Velazquez in the saddle of the morning line favorite.

Firenze Fire 7-2

Impressive Jason Servis trained colt has two career starts and two nice wins. Last time out was a very good step up into stakes company - a win at 12-1 in the G3 Sanford Stakes on this track July 22 after a maiden score at Monmouth Park at first asking - June 18. Firenze Fire hasn't been touched so far in his career and hopes to keep the roll going Monday with Irad Ortiz guiding the intriguing second betting choice from post 3.

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Free Drop Billy 4-1

Has two career starts for trainer Dale Romans with a win and a second-place finish so far. Last time out was a decent second behind Firenze Fire in the G3 Sanford Stakes on this track July 22 which followed a three-length maiden score at first asking - at Churchill Downs June 15. Free Drop Billy has been training well and tries for a first stakes score Monday. Robby Albarado rides from the outside gate 8.

National Flag 9-2

Todd Pletcher trained colt has two career starts with one win - that coming last time out by 1 1/4 length on this track August 5. He was seventh in his debut at Belmont Park July 8. National Flag showed major improvement last time out and hopes to keep that trend going from post 5 Sunday. Jose Ortiz has the mount.

Sporting Chance 8-1

D. Wayne Lukas trained colt has a win and a second-place finish in his two career starts. He steps into stakes company for the first time Monday off a 2 1/4 length maiden score on this track July 22 which followed a second in his debut at Churchill Downs June 15. Sporting Chance has improved every time out and hopes to keep that trend going Monday with Luis Saez in the reins from gate 6.

Givemeaminit 10-1

Highly regarded Dallas Stewart trained colt has one career start - he finished a respectable second behind Sporting Chance in that race at Saratoga July 22. Givemeaminit looks to break his maiden Monday and arrives with some hype. He will have Joel Rosario guiding him from post 7.

Oskar Blues 10-1

Will race for the second time for trainer Kenneth McPeek having posted a good win at 33-1 odds in his only career start - on this track August 12. Oskar Blues tries to make it two-for-two to starts his career when he leaves from gate 2 Monday. Dylan Davis has been tabbed to ride.

Psychoanalyze 15-1

Brian Lynch trained colt has two career starts with a win and a third-place finish. He won his debut as a longshot at Belmont Park June 14 and followed that with an OK step up into stakes competition - a third behind Firenze Fire and Free Drop Billy in the G3 Sanford Stakes on this track July 22. Psychoanalyze has been competitive so far and hopes for a breakthrough victory Monday. Manuel Franco gets the call from gate 4.

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2017 Hopeful Stakes Odds & Entries

Race 9 on Saratoga's Monday card with a Post Time of 5:05 PM.