| Class: | Grade I |
| Horse Race: | Hopeful Stakes |
| Location: | Saratoga Race Course Saratoga Springs, New York, United States |
| Inaugurated: | 1903 |
| Race Type: | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Website: | https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/stakes-schedule/hopeful/ |
| Distance: | 7 furlongs |
| Surface: | Dirt |
| Track: | left-handed |
| Qualification: | Two-year-olds |
| Weight: | 120 lbs. |
| Purse: | $300,000 (2021)[1] |
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.
Time record: (at current 7 furlong distance)
Most wins by an owner:
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by trainer:
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Distance | Time | Gr. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Chancer McPatrick | Flavien Prat | Chad C. Brown | Flanagan Racing | 7 f | 1:23.44 | G1 |
| 2023 | Nutella Fella | Junior Alvarado | Gary C. Contessa | Bell Gable Stable | 7 f | 1:24.41 | G1 |
| 2022 | Forte | Irad Ortiz Jr. | Todd A. Pletcher | Repole Stable & St. Elias Stable | 7 f | 1:22.58 | G1 |
| 2021 | Gunite | Ricardo Santana Jr. | Winchell Thoroughbreds | 7 f | 1:23.08 | G1 | |
| 2020 | Jackie's Warrior | Joel Rosario | Steven M. Asmussen | J. Kirk & Judy Robison | 7 f | 1:21.29 | G1 |
| 2019 | Basin | José Ortiz | Steven M. Asmussen | Jackpot Farm (Terry Green) | 7 f | 1:23.48 | G1 |
| 2018 | Mind Control | John Velazquez | Gregory D. Sacco | Red Oak Stable (Steve Brunetti) & Madaket Stables, LLC | 7 f | 1:22.99 | G1 |
| 2017 | Sporting Chance | D. Wayne Lukas | Robert C. Baker & William L. Mack | 7 f | 1:23.71 | G1 | |
| 2016 | Practical Joke | José Ortiz | Chad Brown | Klaravich Stables & William Lawrence | 7 f | 1:23.39 | G1 |
| 2015 | Ralis | Javier Castellano | Doug F. O'Neill | Reddam Racing | 7 f | 1:22.30 | G1 |
| 2014 | Competitive Edge | John Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | Nancy Favreau, Kathy Psoinos LLC, Michael Tabor | 7 f | 1:24.11 | G1 |
| 2013 | Strong Mandate | José Ortiz | D. Wayne Lukas | Robert C. Baker & William L. Mack | 7 f | 1:23.55 | G1 |
| 2012 | Shanghai Bobby | Rosie Napravnik | Todd A. Pletcher | Starlight Racing (Jack & Laurie Wolf) | 7 f | 1:22.72 | G1 |
| 2011 | Currency Swap | Rajiv Maragh | Terri Pompay | Klaravich Stables & William Lawrence | 7 f | 1:26.16 | G1 |
| 2010 | Boys At Tosconova | Ramon Domínguez | Richard E. Dutrow Jr. | Jay Em Ess Stable, et al. | 7 f | 1:23.27 | G1 |
| 2009 | Dublin | Jamie Theriot | D. Wayne Lukas | Robert C. Baker & William L. Mack | 7 f | 1:23.52 | G1 |
| 2008 | Vineyard Haven | Alan Garcia | Robert J. Frankel | Robert J. Frankel, Louis Lazzinnaro, Diamond Pride LLC | 7 f | 1:23.40 | G1 |
| 2007 | Majestic Warrior | Garrett Gomez | William I. Mott | Kinsman Stable | 7 f | 1:23.04 | G1 |
| 2006 | Circular Quay | Garrett Gomez | Todd A. Pletcher | Michael & Doreen Tabor | 7 f | 1:23.00 | G1 |
| 2005 | First Samurai | Jerry D. Bailey | Frank L. Brothers | Bruce Lunsford & Lansdon B. Robbins III | 7 f | 1:23.25 | G1 |
| 2004 | Afleet Alex | Jeremy Rose | Tim Ritchey | Cash is King LLC | 7 f | 1:23.58 | G1 |
| 2003 | Silver Wagon | Jerry D. Bailey | Ralph Ziadie | Buckram Oak Farm | 7 f | 1:23.47 | G1 |
| 2002 | Sky Mesa | Edgar Prado | John T. Ward | John C. Oxley | 7 f | 1:23.08 | G1 |
| 2001 | Came Home | Chris McCarron | J. Paco Gonzalez | Trudy McCaffery | 7 f | 1:21.94 | G1 |
| 2000 | Yonaguska (DH) | Jerry D. Bailey | D. Wayne Lukas | Michael Tabor | 7 f | 1:24.52 | G1 |
| 2000 | City Zip (DH) | José A. Santos | Linda L. Rice | Charles R. Thompson & Carl T. Bowling | 7 f | 1:24.52 | G1 |
| 1999 | High Yield | Jerry D. Bailey | D. Wayne Lukas | Bob & Beverly Lewis | 7 f | 1:22.85 | G1 |
| 1998 | Lucky Roberto | Robbie Davis | Frank A. Alexander | Jesse Robinson | 7 f | 1:23.81 | G1 |
| 1997 | Favorite Trick | Pat Day | Patrick B. Byrne | Joseph LaCombe | 7 f | 1:23.87 | G1 |
| 1996 | Smoke Glacken | Craig Perret | Henry L. Carroll | Karkenny Levy et al. | 7 f | 1:23.63 | G1 |
| 1995 | Hennessy | Gary Stevens | D. Wayne Lukas | Bob & Beverly Lewis | 7 f | 1:23.44 | G1 |
| 1994 | Wild Escapade | Jorge F. Chavez | Leo O'Brien | Dogwood Stable | 7 f | 1:23.24 | G1 |
| 1993 | Dehere | Chris McCarron | Reynaldo Nobles | Due Process Stable | 6.5 f | 1:15.80 | G1 |
| 1992 | Great Navigator | Aaron Gryder | John F. Mazza | Roron Stables (Ron & Rosemary Shockley) | 6.5 f | 1:15.71 | G1 |
| 1991 | Salt Lake | Mike E. Smith | D. Wayne Lukas | William T. Young | 6.5 f | 1:17.74 | G1 |
| 1990 | Deposit Ticket | Gary Stevens | D. Wayne Lukas | Overbrook Farm | 6.5 f | 1:16.20 | G1 |
| 1989 | Summer Squall | Pat Day | Neil J. Howard | Dogwood Stable | 6.5 f | 1:16.80 | G1 |
| 1988 | Mercedes Won | Robbie Davis | Arnold Fink | Christopher Spencer | 6.5 f | 1:16.60 | G1 |
| 1987 | Crusader Sword | Randy Romero | MacKenzie Miller | Rokeby Stable | 6.5 f | 1:18.60 | G1 |
| 1986 | Gulch | Ángel Cordero Jr. | LeRoy Jolley | Peter M. Brant | 6.5 f | 1:16.40 | G1 |
| 1985 | Papal Power | Don MacBeth | Charles Peoples | Bayard Sharp | 6.5 f | 1:18.40 | G1 |
| 1984 | Chief's Crown | Don MacBeth | Roger Laurin | Star Crown Stable (Andrew Rosen, et al.) | 6.5 f | 1:16.00 | G1 |
| 1983 | Capitol South | Jerry D. Bailey | Lou Rondinello | Darby Dan Farm | 6.5 f | 1:17.40 | G1 |
| 1982 | Copelan | Jerry D. Bailey | Mitchell Griffin | Fred W. Hooper | 6.5 f | 1:16.60 | G1 |
| 1981 | Timely Writer | Roger Danjean | Dominic Imprescia | Peter Martin | 6.5 f | 1:16.20 | G1 |
| 1980 | Tap Shoes | Ruben Hernandez | Howard M. Tesher | Leone J. Peters | 6.5 f | 1:17.00 | G1 |
| 1979 | J.P. Brother | Joseph Imparato | John P. Campo | Diamond Peg Stable (Mrs. John P. Campo) | 6.5 f | 1:16.20 | G1 |
| 1978 | General Assembly | Darrel McHargue | LeRoy Jolley | Bertram R. Firestone | 6.5 f | 1:16.40 | G1 |
| 1977 | Affirmed | Steve Cauthen | Laz Barrera | Harbor View Farm | 6.5 f | 1:15.40 | G1 |
| 1976 | Banquet Table | Jean Cruguet | George T. Poole Jr. | Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney | 6.5 f | 1:16.20 | G1 |
| 1975-1 | Jackknife | Jean Cruguet | John P. Campo | Elmendorf Farm | 6.5 f | 1:16.60 | G1 |
| 1975-2 | Eustace | James Nichols | Wayne Rose | Eugene Cashman | 6.5 f | 1:16.40 | G1 |
| 1974-1 | The Bagel Prince | Ángel Cordero Jr. | John Pappalardo | Edward Shamie | 6.5 f | 1:16.80 | G1 |
| 1974-2 | Foolish Pleasure | Braulio Baeza | LeRoy Jolley | John L. Greer | 6.5 f | 1:16.00 | G1 |
| 1973 | Gusty O'Shay | Robert Kotenko | Harrison E. Johnson | Helen Hopkins | 6.5 f | 1:16.40 | G1 |
| 1972 | Secretariat | Ron Turcotte | Lucien Laurin | Meadow Stable | 6.5 f | 1:16.20 | |
| 1971 | Rest Your Case | Jacinto Vásquez | MacKenzie Miller | Cragwood Stables | 6.5 f | 1:17.40 | |
| 1970 | Proudest Roman | John L. Rotz | Woody Stephens | Mrs. John A. Morris | 6.5 f | 1:18.60 | |
| 1969 | Irish Castle | Braulio Baeza | Edward A. Neloy | Wheatley Stable | 6.5 f | 1:17.20 | |
| 1968 | Top Knight | Manuel Ycaza | Raymond Metcalf | Steven B. Wilson | 6.5 f | 1:16.00 | |
| 1967 | What A Pleasure | Braulio Baeza | Edward A. Neloy | Wheatley Stable | 6.5 f | 1:16.40 | |
| 1966 | Bold Hour | John L. Rotz | Bert Mulholland | George D. Widener Jr. | 6.5 f | 1:17.20 | |
| 1965 | Buckpasser | Braulio Baeza | Edward A. Neloy | Ogden Phipps | 6.5 f | 1:16.00 | |
| 1964 | Bold Lad | Braulio Baeza | Edward A. Neloy | Wheatley Stable | 6.5 f | 1:15.60 | |
| 1963 | Traffic | Manuel Ycaza | Lucien Laurin | Reginald N. Webster | 6.5 f | 1:18.60 | |
| 1962 | Outing Class | Donald R. Pierce | John M. Gaver Sr. | Greentree Stable | 6.5 f | 1:17.00 | |
| 1961 | Jaipur | Bill Shoemaker | Bert Mulholland | George D. Widener Jr. | 6.5 f | 1:16.40 | |
| 1960 | Hail To Reason | Bobby Ussery | Hirsch Jacobs | Patrice Jacobs | 6.5 f | 1:16.00 | |
| 1959 | Tompion | Bill Shoemaker | Sylvester Veitch | C. V. Whitney | 6.5 f | 1:17.40 | |
| 1958 | First Landing | Eddie Arcaro | Casey Hayes | Christopher Chenery | 6.5 f | 1:17.80 | |
| 1957 | Rose Trellis | Frank Lovato | Richard E. Handlen | Foxcatcher Farm | 6.5 f | 1:18.40 | |
| 1956 | King Hairan | Eddie Arcaro | Raymond Metcalf | Leo Edwards | 6.5 f | 1:18.40 | |
| 1955 | Needles | John Choquette | Hugh L. Fontaine | D & H Stable (Jack Dudley & Bonnie Heath) | 6.5 f | 1:18.20 | |
| 1954 | Nashua | Eddie Arcaro | Jim Fitzsimmons | Belair Stud | 6.5 f | 1:17.80 | |
| 1953 | Artismo | Dave Gorman | Robert L. Dotter | James Cox Brady Jr. | 6.5 f | 1:18.00 | |
| 1952 | Native Dancer | Eric Guerin | William C. Winfrey | Alfred G. Vanderbilt Jr. | 6.5 f | 1:18.80 | |
| 1951 | Cousin | Eric Guerin | William C. Winfrey | Alfred G. Vanderbilt Jr. | 6.5 f | 1:19.20 | |
| 1950 | Battlefield | Eric Guerin | Bert Mulholland | George D. Widener Jr. | 6.5 f | 1:18.00 | |
| 1949 | Middleground | Dave Gorman | Max Hirsch | King Ranch | 6.5 f | 1:18.40 | |
| 1948 | Blue Peter | Eric Guerin | Andy Schuttinger | Joseph M. Roebling | 6.5 f | 1:19.20 | |
| 1947 | Relic | John H. Adams | George P. "Maj" Odom | Circle M. Farm (Edward S. Moore) | 6.5 f | 1:17.40 | |
| 1946 | Blue Border | Abelardo DeLara | James W. Smith | Edward R. Bradley | 6.5 f | 1:17.00 | |
| 1945 | Star Pilot | Arnold Kirkland | Tom Smith | Maine Chance Farm | 6.5 f | 1:16.60 | |
| 1944 | Pavot | George Woolf | Oscar White | Walter M. Jeffords | 6.5 f | 1:18.80 | |
| 1943 | Bee Mac | Sterling Young | James W. Smith | Beatrice MacGuire | 6.5 f | 1:18.40 | |
| 1942 | Devil's Thumb | Conn McCreary | Cecil Wilhelm | William Edward Boeing | 6.5 f | 1:18.40 | |
| 1941 | Devil Diver | Jack Skelly | John M. Gaver Sr. | Greentree Stable | 6.5 f | 1:18.60 | |
| 1940 | Whirlaway | Johnny Longden | Ben A. Jones | Calumet Farm | 6.5 f | 1:18.00 | |
| 1939 | Bimelech | Fred A. Smith | William A. Hurley | Edward R. Bradley | 6.5 f | 1:18.80 | |
| 1938 | El Chico | Nick Wall | Matthew Peter Brady | William Ziegler Jr. | 6.5 f | 1:18.40 | |
| 1937 | Sky Larking | Alfred Robertson | Robert McGarvey | Milky Way Farm Stable | 6.5 f | 1:20.80 | |
| 1936 | Maedic | Eddie Litzenberger | William A. Hurley | Maemere Farm (DeWitt Page) | 6.5 f | 1:20.20 | |
| 1935 | Red Rain | Raymond Workman | Thomas J. Healey | C. V. Whitney | 6.5 f | 1:19.80 | |
| 1934 | Psychic Bid | Mack Garner | Robert A. Smith | Brookmeade Stable | 6.5 f | 1:18.80 | |
| 1933 | Bazaar | Don Meade | Herbert J. Thompson | Edward R. Bradley | 6.5 f | 1:19.00 | |
| 1932 | Ladysman | Robert Jones | Bennett W. Creech | William R. Coe | 6.5 f | 1:19.40 | |
| 1931 | Tick On | Pete Walls | Max Hirsch | Loma Stable (Marie Kaufman) | 6.5 f | 1:20.40 | |
| 1930 | Epithet | Willie Kelsay | Henry McDaniel | Gifford A. Cochran | 6.5 f | 1:17.60 | |
| 1929 | Boojum | Raymond Workman | James G. Rowe Jr. | Harry Payne Whitney | 6.5 f | 1:17.00 | |
| 1928 | Jack High | George Ellis | A. Jack Joyner | George D. Widener Jr. | 6.5 f | 1:19.40 | |
| 1927 | Brooms | John Maiben | Gwyn R. Tompkins | Brookmeade Stable | 6.5 f | 1:20.00 | |
| 1926 | Lord Chaucer | Frank Coltiletti | J. H. "Bud" Stotler | Sagamore Farm | 6.5 f | 1:19.80 | |
| 1925 | Pompey | Laverne Fator | William H. Karrick | Shoshone Stable | 6.5 f | 1:17.80 | |
| 1924 | Master Charlie | George Babin | Andrew G. Blakely | William Daniel | 6 f | 1:13.00 | |
| 1923 | Diogenes | Clyde Ponce | Robert A. Smith | Walter M. Jeffords | 6 f | 1:12.60 | |
| 1922 | Dunlin | Clarence Kummer | William M. Garth | Joshua S. Cosden | 6 f | 1:12.40 | |
| 1921 | Morvich | Albert Johnson | Fred Burlew | Benjamin Block | 6 f | 1:12.60 | |
| 1920 | Leonardo II | Andy Schuttinger | Kimball Patterson | Xalapa Farm (Edward F. Simms) | 6 f | 1:12.40 | |
| 1919 | Man o' War | Johnny Loftus | Louis Feustel | Glen Riddle Farm | 6 f | 1:13.00 | |
| 1918 | Eternal | Andy Schuttinger | Kimball Patterson | James W. McClelland | 6 f | 1:13.60 | |
| 1917 | Sun Briar | Willie Knapp | Henry McDaniel | Willis Sharpe Kilmer | 6 f | 1:15.60 | |
| 1916 | Campfire | John McTaggart | Thomas J. Healey | Richard T. Wilson Jr. | 6 f | 1:14.60 | |
| 1915 | Dominant | Joe Notter | James G. Rowe Sr. | Lewis S. Thompson | 6 f | 1:13.80 | |
| 1914 | Regret | Joe Notter | James G. Rowe Sr. | Harry Payne Whitney | 6 f | 1:16.40 | |
| 1913 | Bringhurst | Johnny Loftus | J. Oliver Keene | Johnson N. Camden Jr. | 6 f | 1:12.40 | |
| 1912 | No races held due to the Hart–Agnew Law. | ||||||
| 1911 | |||||||
| 1910 | Novelty | A. Thomas | Sam Hildreth | Sam Hildreth | 6 f | 1:14.00 | |
| 1909 | Rocky O'Brien | Vincent Powers | Kimball Patterson | James MacManus | 6 f | 1:13.20 | |
| 1908 | Helmet | Joe Notter | James G. Rowe Sr. | James R. Keene | 6 f | 1:12.20 | |
| 1907 | Jim Gaffney | David Nicol | Frank D. Weir | Frank J. Farrell | 6 f | 1:15.00 | |
| 1906 | Peter Pan | Willie Knapp | James G. Rowe Sr. | James R. Keene | 6 f | 1:12.20 | |
| 1905 | Mohawk II | Arthur Redfern | Hubert H. Hyner | John Sanford | 6 f | 1:13.40 | |
| 1904 | Tanya | Gene Hildebrand | John W. Rogers | Herman B. Duryea | 6 f | 1:13.20 | |
| 1903 | Delhi | Willie Gannon | James G. Rowe Sr. | James R. Keene | 6 f | 1:13.20 | |