Big Hopes' exciting victory may lead to start in Generous Portion Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. - Big Hopes went from last to first in the span of a quarter-mile in a maiden special weight race for 2-year-old California-bred fillies in Saturday’s second race. She looked like a winner for the final stride and maybe the one before.

The exciting victory is expected to lead to a start in the $125,000 Generous Portion Stakes for statebred 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs on Sept. 5. The goal in the interim is to work with Big Hopes at the gate. She broke slowly in the maiden race and trailed the field for the first three furlongs.

“It was an impressive maiden win,” trainer John Sadler said Sunday. “She didn’t break and she overcame it and still won.”

Big Hopes, owned and bred by George Krikorian, was ridden by leading jockey Juan Hernandez. Big Hopes drew post 1 and Hernandez thought the loading process may have caused the filly to become too comfortable in the stall. The start eliminated plans for Big Hopes to take a forward position following pre-race conversations between Sadler and Hernandez.

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“I think she was asleep a little bit,” Hernandez said. “She broke very slow. He wanted me to be on the lead.”

Hernandez had Big Hopes on the rail to the turn before angling to the outside. Once clear in the stretch, Big Hopes ($8) quickened noticeably to catch an unlucky Fun Money, the 6-5 favorite.

“She made a big move,” Hernandez said.