Sporting Chance works for Hopeful

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Sporting Chance, a solid maiden winner here on July 22, worked four furlongs in 48.68 seconds Wednesday morning over the Oklahoma track in preparation for a start in Monday’s Grade 1, $350,000 Hopeful Stakes.

Under exercise rider Arielle Witkowski, Sporting Chance went his first quarter in 24.48 seconds and his second quarter in 24.20 as he drew five lengths clear of workmate Nanoosh.

“We let him run from the three-sixteenths pole, just close, which he did really well,” said trainer D. Wayne Lukas, a seven-time Hopeful winner. “She just chirped to him to see if he’d finish, and he really quickened and he really finished.”

Sporting Chance, a son of Tiznow, finished second to Dak Attack in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden race at Churchill Downs on June 15. Sporting Chance came back to win a 5 1/2-furlong maiden race here by 2 1/4 lengths on July 22, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 84. Dak Attack came back to win the Ellis Park Juvenile on Aug. 20.

Others expected for the Hopeful are Firenze Fire, Free Drop Billy, Givemeaminit, Mojovation, National Flag, Oskar Blues, and Psychoanalyze.