Pletcher has two for Hopeful Stakes
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – While his former boss D. Wayne Lukas will be in search of his eighth Hopeful Stakes win on Monday, trainer Todd Pletcher will be looking for his fourth when he sends out Mojovation and National Flag in the Grade 1, $350,000 stakes for 2-year-olds at seven furlongs.
Mojovation and National Flag were among the eight horses entered Thursday for the Hopeful, the closing-day feature of the 40-day Saratoga meet.
Mojovation, a son of Quality Road, won his debut by two lengths here on July 29, running six furlongs in 1:11.14 and earning an 86 Beyer Speed Figure.
“He showed pretty good speed in his debut, broke sharply, and took it to them right off,” Pletcher said. “I think seven-eighths should suit him well.”
National Flag got used up in a speed duel in his debut at Belmont Park when finishing last of seven at 3-5. He bounced back with a one-length victory going six furlongs here in 1:10.35 on Aug. 5. He earned an 81 Beyer.
Pletcher won the Hopeful in 2014 with Competitive Edge, in 2012 with Shanghai Bobby, and in 2006 with Circular Quay.
His two entrants will take on the Lukas-trained Sporting Chance as well as Oskar Blues, Psychoanalyze, Firenze Fire, Free Drop Bill, and Givemeaminit.
