Mind Control surprises in Hopeful Stakes

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The New Jersey shipper Mind Control took early pressure from Nitrous for the first half-mile and then had the odds-on favorite, Mucho, ready to pounce, in Monday’s Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga.

But Mind Control, a 10-1 longshot, never relented, putting away Nitrous, then holding off Mucho to win the $350,000 Hopeful Stakes for 2-year-olds by three-quarters of a length on closing day at Saratoga.

Mucho, the even-money favorite off his big maiden win here early in the meet, finished second, 2 1/4 lengths ahead of Nitrous. It was a half-length back to Sombeyay, who was followed, in order, by Dream Maker, Thatwouldbegrand, Backtohisroots, and Derby Date.

The win was the first Grade 1 victory for trainer Greg Sacco, who has been training for 30 years, taking over the stable from his father William who began training in 1946.

“It’s my first Grade 1, it’s real special,” said Sacco, who also won his first race at Saratoga after 25 previous starters here over 20 years.

“Son of a trainer; my dad never had the opportunity to train these type of horses. I’ve been blessed and fortunate [to train] for the Brunettis. This is really meaningful.”

Mind Control, a son of Stay Thirsty, is owned and bred by the Brunetti family. John Brunetti Sr., former owner of Hialeah Park, died in March. His son Steven heads the stable, which operates as Red Oak Stable.

Mind Control finished second in his debut at Delaware Park to Call Paul, who came to Saratoga to win the Grade 2 Saratoga Special on Aug. 12. That same day, Mind Control won a maiden race at Monmouth Park.

Sol Kumin’s Madaket Stable purchased a third interest in Mind Control following his maiden victory.

The victory by Call Paul in the Saratoga Special gave Sacco the confidence to try Mind Control in the Hopeful.

Breaking from post 2 under John Velazquez, Mind Control found himself dueling with Nitrous through a quarter mile in 22.96 seconds and a half-mile in 45.68. Meanwhile, Mucho was sitting in a perfect stalking position under Jose Ortiz, just waiting to pounce.

Turning for home, Velazquez went right-handed to keep Mind Control going and Nitrous was trying to keep up. Mind Control edged away from Nitrous inside the sixteenth pole and Mucho couldn’t run him down.

Mind Control covered the seven furlongs in 1:22.99 and returned $22.20 as the fifth betting choice in the eight-horse field.

“He seemed like he was doing it pretty easy, gave him a nice break down the backstretch, by the three-eighths pole I made sure he kept his mind on running,” Velazquez said. “Down the lane I got after him and that was it.”

Sacco said Mind Control would ship to Monmouth Park on Tuesday and then he would discuss plans with the owners that will likely include a path to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs on Nov. 2.

Jose Ortiz, the rider of Mucho, felt he had his horse in good position and just couldn’t get to the winner.

“I was in a good spot early, when I asked him to go he responded well. I just couldn’t pass that other horse,” Ortiz said. “Pretty clean race, good trip, just the last sixteenth that other horse dug in. They ran pretty fast for babies, just second-best.”