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.