Pletcher-less Hopeful lures Bitumen, Classic Empire

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – For the first time since 2005, trainer Todd Pletcher will not have a starter in the Grade 1 Hopeful, the traditional closing-day feature at Saratoga.

But they’ll still run the race anyway, with a seven-horse field that includes stakes winners Bitumen, Classic Empire, and Runaway Lute.

Bitumen, trained by Eddie Kenneally, is 2 for 2, including a 1 3/4-length victory in the Grade 2 Sanford here on opening day.

“Our horse ran real well in the Sanford,” Kenneally said. “He came from off the pace, got a good education, was very professional.”

Classic Empire won the Grade 3 Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs for trainer Mark Casse. He will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., replacing Julien Leparoux, who is still recovering from a fractured wrist.

The others entered in the Hopeful are Practical Joke, Pretty Boy Flash, Royal Copy, and Everybodyluvsrudy.