Remain Hopeful About Juvenile Derby Candidates in the Hopeful Stakes

The Hopeful Stakes is the first Grade 1 of the year for 2-year-old males. It's a seven-furlong sprint on Saratoga’s closing day. Last year's winner, Jackie”s Warrior, covered the seven furlongs in 1:21.29.

Wit is 7/5 favorite in this year's Hopeful Stakes. He is a product of 2016 Hop hopeful Practical Joke. Wit is 2-for-2 in his career, including a 14-length victory at the Sanford Stake.

Wit came with a $575,000 price tag at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Pletcher won three Hopefuls between 2006 and 2014. Shanghai Bobby gave P Fletcher the 2012 Hopeful title. Competitive Edge gave him the 2014 title and he's the last favorite to win the Hopefully.

Wit has had two starts and is ready to step up. High Oak won the Grade 2 Saratoga Special on August 14. Gunite owns four starts. He's 1-2-1 in those starts, with a fast opening quarter-mile and 44.93 opening half- mile.

Asmussen hoping for a three-peat in the Hopeful Stakes. If Gunite wins, it will be his third consecutive Hop hopeful title. Defend is 6/1 favorite.