Forte splashes to Hopeful victory at Saratoga

Forte won the $300,000, Grade I Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga. It was a sloppy racetrack. Gulfport was the morning-line favorite. Forte finished three lengths ahead of Gulfports. Blazing Sevens and Manny Franco finished third and fourth. Mo Strike finished fourth and Bourbon Bash and Western Ghent completed the order of finish. The Champagne Stake is a $500,00, grade I event that will be run at the Belmont Park meeting on October 1. For more information about the Champ champagne at Bel Mont, visit the website.