The Hopeful Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race run annually at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Open to two-year-old horses, the Hopeful is the first Grade I stakes for two-year-olds each season and historically has been a showcase for some of the top East Coast horses at that age group. Raced on the dirt over a distance of seven furlongs, the Grade I event currently offers a purse of $350,000.
Inaugurated in 1903, the first edition was won by Delhi who went on to win the 1904 Belmont Stakes. In 1904, the Hopeful Stakes was won by the filly Tanya. She would go on to win the 1905 Belmont Stakes.
Initially raced at a distance of six furlongs, from 1925 through 1993 it was run at furlongs and since 1994 at seven furlongs. Currently, the Hopeful Stakes is the first influential prep race leading up to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and since 1925 has been a competition that marks the first time two-year-olds are tested at a distance beyond six furlongs. The name stems from the hope that every two-year-old handler has for their horse's racing future.
Due to the State of New York's legislated ban on parimutuel betting, there was no race in 1911 and 1912. During World War II, the Hopeful Stakes was run at Belmont Park in 1943, 1944, and 1945.
Only four horses have ever won all three Saratoga stakes events for two-year-olds. Regret (1914), Campfire (1916), Dehere (1993), and City Zip (2000) each swept the Hopeful Stakes, Saratoga Special Stakes, and the Sanford Stakes.
In 2008, the race was sponsored by Three Chimneys Farm of Midway, Kentucky.
Records Time record: (at current 7 furlong distance) 1:21.29 – Jackie's Warrior (2020)
Most wins by an owner: 4 – George D. Widener Jr. (1928, 1950, 1961, 1966)
Most wins by a jockey: 6 – Jerry D. Bailey (1982, 1983, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005) Most wins by trainer: 8 – D. Wayne Lukas (1990, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2009, 2013, 2017)
Winners Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Gr.2026The Good LifeManuel_Franco_(jockey)Brad H. CoxWinStar Farm7 f1:24.08G12025Ted NoffeyJohn R. VelazquezTodd A. PletcherSpendthrift Farm7 f1:22.35G12024Chancer McPatrickFlavien PratChad C. BrownFlanagan Racing7 f1:23.44G12023Nutella FellaJunior AlvaradoGary C. ContessaBell Gable Stable7 f1:24.41G12022ForteIrad Ortiz Jr.Todd A. PletcherRepole Stable & St. Elias Stable7 f1:22.58G12021GuniteRicardo Santana Jr.Steven M. Asmussen Winchell Thoroughbreds7 f1:23.08G12020Jackie's WarriorJoel RosarioSteven M. AsmussenJ. Kirk & Judy Robison7 f1:21.29G12019BasinJosé OrtizSteven M. AsmussenJackpot Farm (Terry Green)7 f1:23.48G12018Mind Control John R. VelazquezGregory D. SaccoRed Oak Stable (Steve Brunetti) & Madaket Stables, LLC 7 f1:22.99G12017Sporting ChanceLuis Saez D. Wayne LukasRobert C. Baker & William L. Mack7 f1:23.71G12016 Practical JokeJosé OrtizChad BrownKlaravich Stables & William Lawrence7 f1:23.39G12015RalisJavier CastellanoDoug F. O'NeillReddam Racing7 f1:22.30G12014Competitive EdgeJohn R. VelazquezTodd A. PletcherNancy Favreau, Kathy Psoinos LLC, Michael Tabor7 f1:24.11G12013Strong MandateJosé OrtizD. Wayne LukasRobert C. Baker & William L. Mack7 f1:23.55G12012Shanghai BobbyRosie NapravnikTodd A. PletcherStarlight Racing (Jack & Laurie Wolf)7 f1:22.72G12011Currency SwapRajiv MaraghTerri PompayKlaravich Stables & William Lawrence7 f1:26.16G12010Boys At TosconovaRamon DomínguezRichard E. Dutrow Jr.Jay Em Ess Stable, et al.7 f1:23.27G12009DublinJamie TheriotD. Wayne LukasRobert C. Baker & William L. Mack7 f1:23.52G12008Vineyard HavenAlan GarciaRobert J. FrankelRobert J. Frankel, Louis Lazzinnaro, Diamond Pride LLC7 f1:23.40G12007Majestic WarriorGarrett GomezWilliam I. MottKinsman Stable7 f1:23.04G12006Circular QuayGarrett GomezTodd A. PletcherMichael & Doreen Tabor7 f1:23.00G12005First SamuraiJerry D. BaileyFrank L. BrothersBruce Lunsford & Lansdon B. Robbins III7 f1:23.25G12004Afleet AlexJeremy RoseTim RitcheyCash is King LLC7 f1:23.58G12003Silver WagonJerry D. BaileyRalph ZiadieBuckram Oak Farm7 f1:23.47G12002Sky MesaEdgar PradoJohn T. WardJohn C. Oxley7 f1:23.08G12001Came HomeChris McCarronJ. Paco GonzalezTrudy McCaffery7 f1:21.94G12000Yonaguska (DH)Jerry D. BaileyD. Wayne LukasMichael Tabor7 f1:24.52G12000City Zip (DH)José A. SantosLinda L. RiceCharles R. Thompson & Carl T. Bowling7 f1:24.52G11999High YieldJerry D. BaileyD. Wayne LukasBob & Beverly Lewis7 f1:22.85G11998Lucky RobertoRobbie DavisFrank A. AlexanderJesse Robinson7 f1:23.81G11997Favorite TrickPat DayPatrick B. ByrneJoseph LaCombe7 f1:23.87G11996Smoke GlackenCraig PerretHenry L. CarrollKarkenny Levy et al.7 f1:23.63G11995HennessyGary StevensD. Wayne LukasBob & Beverly Lewis7 f1:23.44G11994Wild EscapadeJorge F. ChavezLeo O'BrienDogwood Stable7 f1:23.24G11993DehereChris McCarronReynaldo NoblesDue Process Stable6.5 f1:15.80G11992Great NavigatorAaron GryderJohn F. MazzaRoron Stables (Ron & Rosemary Shockley)6.5 f1:15.71G11991Salt LakeMike E. SmithD. Wayne LukasWilliam T. Young6.5 f1:17.74G11990Deposit TicketGary StevensD. Wayne LukasOverbrook Farm6.5 f1:16.20G11989Summer SquallPat DayNeil J. HowardDogwood Stable6.5 f1:16.80G11988Mercedes WonRobbie DavisArnold FinkChristopher Spencer6.5 f1:16.60G11987Crusader SwordRandy RomeroMacKenzie MillerRokeby Stable6.5 f1:18.60G11986GulchÁngel Cordero Jr.LeRoy JolleyPeter M. Brant6.5 f1:16.40G11985Papal PowerDon MacBethCharles PeoplesBayard Sharp6.5 f1:18.40G11984Chief's CrownDon MacBethRoger LaurinStar Crown Stable (Andrew Rosen, et al.)6.5 f1:16.00G11983Capitol SouthJerry D. BaileyLou RondinelloDarby Dan Farm6.5 f1:17.40G11982CopelanJerry D. BaileyMitchell GriffinFred W. Hooper6.5 f1:16.60G11981Timely WriterRoger DanjeanDominic ImpresciaPeter Martin6.5 f1:16.20G11980Tap ShoesRuben HernandezHoward M. TesherLeone J. Peters6.5 f1:17.00G11979J.P. BrotherJoseph ImparatoJohn P. CampoDiamond Peg Stable (Mrs. John P. Campo)6.5 f1:16.20G11978General AssemblyDarrel McHargueLeRoy JolleyBertram R. Firestone6.5 f1:16.40G11977AffirmedSteve CauthenLaz BarreraHarbor View Farm6.5 f1:15.40G11976Banquet TableJean CruguetGeorge T. Poole Jr.Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney6.5 f1:16.20G11975-1JackknifeJean CruguetJohn P. CampoElmendorf Farm6.5 f1:16.60G11975-2EustaceJames NicholsWayne RoseEugene Cashman6.5 f1:16.40G11974-1The Bagel PrinceÁngel Cordero Jr.John PappalardoEdward Shamie6.5 f1:16.80G11974-2Foolish PleasureBraulio BaezaLeRoy JolleyJohn L. Greer6.5 f1:16.00G11973Gusty O'ShayRobert KotenkoHarrison E. JohnsonHelen Hopkins6.5 f1:16.40G11972SecretariatRon TurcotteLucien LaurinMeadow Stable6.5 f1:16.201971Rest Your CaseJacinto VásquezMacKenzie MillerCragwood Stables6.5 f1:17.401970Proudest RomanJohn L. RotzWoody StephensMrs. John A. Morris6.5 f1:18.601969Irish CastleBraulio BaezaEdward A. NeloyWheatley Stable6.5 f1:17.201968Top KnightManuel YcazaRaymond MetcalfSteven B. Wilson6.5 f1:16.001967What A PleasureBraulio BaezaEdward A. NeloyWheatley Stable6.5 f1:16.401966Bold HourJohn L. RotzBert MulhollandGeorge D. Widener Jr.6.5 f1:17.201965BuckpasserBraulio BaezaEdward A. NeloyOgden Phipps6.5 f1:16.001964Bold LadBraulio BaezaEdward A. NeloyWheatley Stable6.5 f1:15.601963TrafficManuel YcazaLucien LaurinReginald N. Webster6.5 f1:18.601962Outing ClassDonald PierceJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable6.5 f1:17.001961JaipurBill ShoemakerBert MulhollandGeorge D. Widener Jr.6.5 f1:16.401960Hail To ReasonBobby UsseryHirsch JacobsPatrice Jacobs6.5 f1:16.001959TompionBill ShoemakerSylvester VeitchC. V. Whitney6.5 f1:17.401958First LandingEddie ArcaroCasey HayesChristopher Chenery6.5 f1:17.801957Rose TrellisFrank LovatoRichard E. HandlenFoxcatcher Farm6.5 f1:18.401956King HairanEddie ArcaroRaymond MetcalfLeo Edwards6.5 f1:18.401955NeedlesJohn ChoquetteHugh L. FontaineD & H Stable (Jack Dudley & Bonnie Heath)6.5 f1:18.201954NashuaEddie ArcaroJim FitzsimmonsBelair Stud6.5 f1:17.801953ArtismoDave GormanRobert L. DotterJames Cox Brady Jr.6.5 f1:18.001952Native DancerEric GuerinWilliam C. WinfreyAlfred G. Vanderbilt Jr.6.5 f1:18.801951CousinEric GuerinWilliam C. WinfreyAlfred G. Vanderbilt Jr.6.5 f1:19.201950BattlefieldEric GuerinBert MulhollandGeorge D. Widener Jr.6.5 f1:18.001949MiddlegroundDave GormanMax HirschKing Ranch6.5 f1:18.401948Blue PeterEric GuerinAndy SchuttingerJoseph M. Roebling6.5 f1:19.201947RelicJohn H. AdamsGeorge P. "Maj" OdomCircle M. Farm (Edward S. Moore)6.5 f1:17.401946Blue BorderAbelardo DeLaraJames W. SmithEdward R. Bradley6.5 f1:17.001945Star PilotArnold KirklandTom SmithMaine Chance Farm6.5 f1:16.601944PavotGeorge WoolfOscar WhiteWalter M. Jeffords6.5 f1:18.801943Bee MacSterling YoungJames W. SmithBeatrice MacGuire6.5 f1:18.401942Devil's ThumbConn McCrearyCecil WilhelmWilliam Edward Boeing6.5 f1:18.401941Devil DiverJack SkellyJohn M. Gaver Sr.Greentree Stable6.5 f1:18.601940WhirlawayJohnny LongdenBen A. JonesCalumet Farm6.5 f1:18.001939BimelechFred A. SmithWilliam A. HurleyEdward R. Bradley6.5 f1:18.801938El ChicoNick WallMatthew Peter BradyWilliam Ziegler Jr.6.5 f1:18.401937Sky LarkingAlfred RobertsonRobert McGarveyMilky Way Farm Stable6.5 f1:20.801936MaedicEddie LitzenbergerWilliam A. HurleyMaemere Farm (DeWitt Page)6.5 f1:20.201935Red RainRaymond WorkmanThomas J. HealeyC. V. Whitney6.5 f1:19.801934Psychic BidMack GarnerRobert A. SmithBrookmeade Stable6.5 f1:18.801933BazaarDon MeadeHerbert J. ThompsonEdward R. Bradley6.5 f1:19.001932LadysmanRobert JonesBennett W. CreechWilliam R. Coe6.5 f1:19.401931Tick OnPete WallsMax HirschLoma Stable (Marie Kaufman)6.5 f1:20.401930EpithetWillie KelsayHenry McDanielGifford A. Cochran6.5 f1:17.601929BoojumRaymond WorkmanJames G. Rowe Jr.Harry Payne Whitney6.5 f1:17.001928Jack HighGeorge EllisA. Jack JoynerGeorge D. Widener Jr.6.5 f1:19.401927BroomsJohn MaibenGwyn R. TompkinsBrookmeade Stable6.5 f1:20.001926Lord ChaucerFrank ColtilettiJ. H. "Bud" StotlerSagamore Farm6.5 f1:19.801925PompeyLaverne FatorWilliam H. KarrickShoshone Stable6.5 f1:17.801924Master CharlieGeorge BabinAndrew G. BlakelyWilliam Daniel6 f1:13.001923DiogenesClyde PonceRobert A. SmithWalter M. Jeffords6 f1:12.601922DunlinClarence KummerWilliam M. GarthJoshua S. Cosden6 f1:12.401921MorvichAlbert JohnsonFred BurlewBenjamin Block6 f1:12.601920Leonardo IIAndy SchuttingerKimball PattersonXalapa Farm (Edward F. Simms)6 f1:12.401919Man o' WarJohnny LoftusLouis FeustelGlen Riddle Farm6 f1:13.001918EternalAndy SchuttingerKimball PattersonJames W. McClelland6 f1:13.601917Sun BriarWillie KnappHenry McDanielWillis Sharpe Kilmer6 f1:15.601916CampfireJohn McTaggartThomas J. HealeyRichard T. Wilson Jr.6 f1:14.601915DominantJoe NotterJames G. Rowe Sr.Lewis S. Thompson6 f1:13.801914RegretJoe NotterJames G. Rowe Sr.Harry Payne Whitney6 f1:16.401913BringhurstJohnny LoftusJ. Oliver KeeneJohnson N. Camden Jr.6 f1:12.401912 No races held due to the Hart–Agnew Law.19111910NoveltyA. ThomasSam HildrethSam Hildreth6 f1:14.001909Rocky O'BrienVincent PowersKimball PattersonJames MacManus6 f1:13.201908HelmetJoe NotterJames G. Rowe Sr.James R. Keene6 f1:12.201907Jim GaffneyDavid NicolFrank D. WeirFrank J. Farrell6 f1:15.001906Peter PanWillie KnappJames G. Rowe Sr.James R. Keene6 f1:12.201905Mohawk IIArthur RedfernHubert H. Hyner John Sanford6 f1:13.401904TanyaGene HildebrandJohn W. RogersHerman B. Duryea6 f1:13.201903DelhiWillie GannonJames G. Rowe Sr.James R. Keene6 f1:13.20
Notes:
References
August 14, 1904 New York Times article on Tany's win in the inaugural Hopeful Stakes The 2008 Hopeful Stakes at the NTRA Ten Things You Should Know About the Hopeful Stakes