Practical Joke Wins Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga Race Course
The $350,000 Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes was run Labor Day Monday, September 5 at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. A solid group of two year olds raced seven furlongs on Saratoga's dirt track. The race was highlighted by a photo-finish with 2-1 second choice Practical Joke prevailing over a couple of longshots - Royal Copy who was sent off at 15-1 odds and third place finisher Pretty Boy Flash who went to the post at 25-1 odds. 3-1 third choice Bitumen was fourth in the field of seven while Everybodyluvsrudy, Runaway Lute and 8-5 favorite Classic Empire completed the order of finish. Classic Empire has issues at the start and unseated jockey Irad Ortiz early on.
2016 Hopeful Stakes Race Results & Payoffs
| Post | Horse | Jockey | WIN | PLACE | SHOW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Practical Joke | Jose L. Ortiz | 6.20 | 3.90 | 3.20 |
| 5 | Royal Copy | Luis Saez | 13.40 | 7.10 | |
| 7 | Pretty Boy Flash | John R. Velazquez | 8.10 |
Payoffs:
- $2 Exacta (2-5) Paid: $53.00
- $1 Trifecta (2-5-7) Paid: $284.50
- $1 Superfecta (2-5-7-4) Paid: $1,154.00
- $2 Daily Double (2/2) Paid: $32.00
- $2 Pick 3 (6/2/2) Paid: $130.00
