Strong Rally Carries Forte to Hopeful Stakes Victory

It was raining at Saratoga Race Course when Mike Repole's colt Forte won the $300,000, Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes for 2-year-olds Sept. 5. It was the final day of a memorable 2022 season at the Spa. Forta was seventh early and finished fourth in July, 5 ¾ lengths behind Mo Strike. The next race for Fortee could be the Champagne Stake at Aqueduct on Oct. 1. The Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity at Keeneland is also on the radar. Pletcher has a record six Champ champagne wins.