For generations, Saratoga Race Course has been known as a locale for some of the sport’s best 2-year-old racing, and for colts the top 2-year-old race of the meet is the Hopeful Stakes. The seven-furlong, Grade 1 test brings together the most promising of 2-year-olds and often showcases a major threat for the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by TAA. With a talented field of 11, this year’s edition should be no exception.

1. Just Steel (10-1): Improving D. Wayne Lukas-trained runner, who gets the rail and as a son of Justify should enjoy more distance. Seems a threat here.

JOCKEY: Joel Rosario TRAINER: D. Wayne Lukas

2. Yo Yo Candy (20-1): He won the Sanford Stakes during this meet at 46-1 odds. The time was on the slow side and this will be an acid test for him.

JOCKEY: Angel Castillo TRAINER: Daniel Velazquez

3. Nutella Fella (30-1): Put in a blazing fast work for this (three furlongs in :34.80) but his time in his debut win at Delaware Park was a cut below these. We’ll see if he’s more than a morning glory.

JOCKEY: Junior Alvarado  TRAINER: Gary Contessa

4. Mission Beach (10-1): Trainer Bob Baffert shipped him east after an odds-on debut win. The key question is whether he’s the better of Baffert’s two entrants.

JOCKEY: John Velazquez TRAINER: Bob Baffert

5. Timberlake (4-1): Fizzled in his debut then exploded for a big win in his second start. If the second start was the real deal, he’ll be a major player here.2

JOCKEY: Florent Geroux TRAINER: Brad Cox

6. Gold Sweep (6-1): Was second as a heavy favorite in the Sanford after an awful trip. Stumbled at the start and raced wide but still rallied for second in an effort that indicates there’s plenty of talent here.

JOCKEY: Jose Ortiz TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

7. Muth (5-2): Definitely appears to be the better of the two Baffert runners in terms of speed figures and class. Was second in the Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar and looks like the one to catch turning for home – which may be a tough task for his rivals.

JOCKEY: Flavien Prat TRAINER: Bob Baffert

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8. Baytown Chatterbox (50-1): Gelding has been winning at Ellis Park and Horseshoe Indianapolis in slow times. Will need to take a big step forward to be competitive.

JOCKEY: Dylan Davis TRAINER: Paul McEntee

9. Valentine Candy (12-1): Was a sharp debut winner on the front end but his speed figure was a cut below the top threats.

JOCKEY: Tyler Gaffalione TRAINER: Steve Asmussen

10. Be You (9-2): Lost to Just Steel in his debut and though he’s a maiden, the breeding says he should get better with more distance. Cannot be overlooked despite not having a win to his credit.

JOCKEY: Irad Ortiz Jr.  TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

11. Pirate (8-1): Sailed to an easy victory in his debut in good time while beating Just You and has worked sharply since then. Looks like a main threat despite the outside post.

JOCKEY: Javier Castellano  TRAINER: Todd Pletcher

THE PICK: Muth

LIVE LONGSHOT: Pirate

SUPERFECTA: 7-6-11-10