Joyful Hope gets second chance in Friday allowance

ELMONT, N.Y. – Despite having not raced in 15 months, Joyful Hope was pounded to 6-5 favoritism in a second-level allowance race at Saratoga in August. The filly tossed her head out of the gate, never really did much running, and finished last of eight.

On Friday, following a freshening of nearly three months, Joyful Hope will look to make amends when she makes her second U.S. start in a second-level allowance/optional $62,500 claiming race at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Belmont Park.

Joyful Hope is among seven fillies and mares entered for the turf, while three additional runners were entered to run only if this race is transferred to the main track. Rain was in the forecast Thursday, but Friday was expected to be dry.

Joyful Hope began her career in Italy, winning her first two starts, then finished in a dead heat for second, beaten a head, in the Group 2 Italian Oaks in May 2015. Joyful Hope didn’t run again until her race in August, won by 11-1 shot Promotional.

“She was very erratic, I thought,” said Christophe Clement, who has been training Joyful Hope in the U.S. “She trained well, but she ran terrible.”

Clement has changed up his training of Joyful Hope, breezing her three furlongs every five or six days instead of longer breezes spaced out over more time.

“By working her more often and shorter, I just tried to change something,” Clement said. “She’s a filly that used to tie up a little bit, so I’m just trying to break that cycle, which we did.”

Clement also entered Blame It On Me, but if the ground is too firm, he might scratch her in favor of a longer race at Aqueduct in two weeks.

Trainer Chad Brown also has entered two horses – Grey Stark and Sympathy. Grey Stark was beaten a length when fourth at this condition going 1 1/2 miles at Saratoga. Sympathy was used as a pacemaker, or rabbit, for Lady Eli in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa last out.

KEY CONTENDERS

Joyful Hope, by Shamardal

Beyer: 70

◗ She was rank early in her U.S. debut.

◗ The second- and ninth-place finishers from that Aug. 4 race came back to win.

◗ Her form in Italy was good. She ran second to Lovelyn in the Italian Oaks, and Lovelyn is 2 for 3 this year and most recently won the Group 1 Gran Premio Jockey Club on Oct. 18.

Grey Stark, by Tapit

Last 3 Beyers: 86-85-82

◗ She was beaten a half-length by stablemate Elysea’s World at this distance off an eight-month layoff during the spring meet.

Jet Majesty, by Raffie’s Majesty

Last 3 Beyers: 79-78-77

◗ Comes off a win at Laurel at this condition in a race with a $32,000 claiming option. She was not offered for the tag at Laurel and is being offered for the $62,500 claiming price this time.

◗ She likely will try to wire this field under John Velazquez.