Hopeful J

AMERICAN GRADED STAKES

PREVIEWS

Twelve juveniles will vie in the competitive Hopeful S. (G1) at Saratoga on

Monday, closing day at the Spa. We could sensibly choose from at least eight in

here who wouldn't surprise for the win, but we'll settle with BACKTALK (Smarty

Jones), the morning-line favorite. The consistently good colt is drawn widest of

all for Tom Amoss, but we're not deterred and will tab the impressive

two-year-old for his fourth straight victory. A rallying winner in his debut,

the Kentucky-bred followed with similar triumphs in the Bashford Manor S. (G3),

and most recently, the Sanford S. (G2). There should be enough early gas to help

set up this one for his closing run with new rider Richard Migliore.

ASPIRE (Tale of the Cat) was a sharp maiden winner against a potentially nice

field for Eddie Kenneally and should improve under Julien Leparoux. The

well-meant juvenile rated nicely in his first run before mowing down his foe in

a visually impressive run, and if he can carve out a decent trip from the three

post, he will be a big top-three candidate late, if not more.

We feel that DUBLIN (Afleet Alex) also has a big chance in here from the 11

post for Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. A sharp maiden winner last out

over this oval, the expensive chestnut has displayed a strong closing kick as

well, but we envision him being closer to the early tempo than our top pick with

Jamie Theriot. If the colt can get into range early, he could be the one with

slight improvement.

We have a hunch that AIKENITE (Yes It's True) is better than most think, and

the Todd Pletcher trainee could be a live longshot to include in the gimmicks.

The dark bay topped a horse in his debut who returned in fine fashion to win on

Saturday, and while this one earned a modest 78 BRIS Speed figure for his win,

big improvement is expected from this hot barn. Calvin Borel will hope to cap a

nice weekend with an upset aboard the colt.

PRINCE ROONEY (Tale of the Cat), a smashing 15-length winner of the

Mountaineer Juvenile S. last out, is a bit of a wild card to us. The Steve

Asmussen pupil earned a commendable 98 BRIS Speed figure for his work at

Mountaineer last out and has posted a quartet of works in the area since, so we

have to include the shipper. Shaun Bridgmohan will be up.

The blue-blooded LISTON (Storm Cat) was a stubborn winner at first asking for

Kiaran McLaughlin and rates a chance in here with slight improvement. The dark

bay beat a solid cast in his first run on the dirt oval and has seemingly done

well in the interim, so if the Darley homebred jumps up in his second career

start he could be dangerous late beneath Alan Garcia.

ENUMERATE (Proud Accolade) was a touch unlucky in the Sanford last out and

will hope for better racing luck on this day for Asmussen. The impressive bay

has run superb races to begin his career, looking especially good in his maiden

score at Churchill Downs, so there is no reason to omit the bay against these.

Robby Albarado has the assignment atop the win contender.

WESTOVER WILDCAT (Forest Wildcat) drew the rail which will likely crush his

chances in here for conditioner Tony Dutrow, who has had a strong meet at

Saratoga. The dark bay was a fine maiden hero over this strip, showing vast

improvement from his debut, but he could easily get shuffled back in this bulky

field. GRAND SLAM ANDRE (Grand Slam) won a pair of stakes against inferior foes

in his last pair and has already run five times, leading us to believe that he's

already reached his ceiling this campaign.

FLATTER THAN ME (Flatter) has a lot of ability but didn't show much in his

debut over this oval, and we generally don't like to play horses that struggled

over this oval in the past. ONE NOTE SAMBA (Grand Reward) crushed state-bred

foes last out but will find this field infinitely more difficult for Pletcher.

OVERLAP (Chapel Royal) won an off-the-turf event at first asking for Barclay

Tagg, but we'll wait for this one to stretch out and run on the green.

NOT MACHO ANY MORE (Macho Again) finished second in Saturday's Sapling S.

(G3) and will be scratched from this race.