Saratoga: J.C.'s Pride targets Hopeful

J.C.’s Pride, who set a track record when winning a maiden race by 3 1/4 lengths here at Saratoga on July 27, will make his next start in the Grade 1 Hopeful on Sept. 5, trainer Robert Barbara confirmed Wednesday.

J.C.s’ Pride ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 56.54 seconds and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 101 for his maiden win. That race came after he finished second to Overdriven in his debut at Belmont Park. Overdriven came back to win the Sanford Stakes here on July 24.

“We’re going for the gusto,’’ Barbara said. “I wanted to give him five weeks in between races, didn’t want to go to the Saratoga Special, which was only 19 days in between. A baby that runs a 101 Beyer is a little fast. He’s handled it really well. I think he can get seven-eighths because he gallops out after he breezes.’’

On Monday, J.C.’s Pride worked four furlongs in 48.15 seconds over the main train track.

“It was nice and comfortable,’’ Barbara said. “We’ll do another half the same kind of way this weekend.