It’s difficult to determine the most likely winner of the $300,000, Grade 1 Spendthrift Hopeful Stakes on Labor Day at Saratoga Race Course. Eight talented 2-year-olds have been entered, and each one comes into the race off a victory.
That said, three horses conditioned by Hall of Fame trainers look especially appealing.
The possible favorite is #3 Romeo from the barn of three-time Hopeful Stakes-winning trainer Steve Asmussen. Romeo is the most accomplished horse in the field, having led from start to finish in the Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs. Romeo won by 3 3/4 lengths over Comport, who returned to take the Ellis Park Juvenile Stakes in his next start. Romeo is the fastest Hopeful entrant in terms of Beyer Speed Figures and Brisnet Speed ratings and should be viewed as a strong win contender.
Trainer Mark Casse’s #1 Curtain Call boasts strong credentials, too. In his debut at Churchill Downs, he finished second to future Sanford Stakes winner and Saratoga Special Stakes runner-up Obliteration while coming home ahead of next-out maiden winner Clocker Special. Curtain Call then shipped to Saratoga to dominate a maiden special weight race by 8 1/2 lengths with sharp Beyer and Brisnet figures.
Curtain Call is a son of Tiz the Law out of a mare by Into Mischief. Both Tiz the Law and Into Mischief won at the Grade 1 level as juveniles, so Curtain Call’s pedigree is geared toward early maturity, making him a great fit for the Hopeful.
We must also consider #5 Buetane as a win candidate. Purchased for $1.15 million as a 2-year-old in training, Buetane impressed when debuting in a Del Mar maiden special weight, scoring by 3 1/2 lengths for trainer Bob Baffert. Since 2020, Baffert has compiled a strong 7-for-33 (21%) record at Saratoga, which includes a 1-for-3 (33%) tally with 2-year-olds.
We suggest bettors play an exacta involving Romeo, Curtain Call, and Buetane. We’ll “box” our wagers, which means we’ll cash if any two of the three finish first and second in either order.
If you want to spend a bit more and chase a bigger payoff, consider also boxing Romeo, Curtain Call, and Buetane in a trifecta. If they run 1-2-3 in any order, we’ll hold a winning ticket.
Wagering Strategy on a $12 Budget
$2 exacta: box 1,3,5 (total cost: $12)
What to say at the betting window: Saratoga, Race 9, $2 exacta box 1,3,5
Wagering Strategy on a $36 Budget
$5 exacta: box 1,3,5 (total cost: $30)
What to say at the betting window: Saratoga, Race 9, $5 exacta box 1,3,5
$1 trifecta: box 1,3,5 (total cost: $6)
What to say at the betting window: Saratoga, Race 9, $1 trifecta box 1,3,5
Good luck, and enjoy the race!
